Stained Glass Scapulars-Reflections on the Secular Carmelite Rule

Article 13

By virtue of their Promise, the Secular Carmelites should have a particular esteem for the Beatitude of poverty. They should love it as Christ loved it. in their daily effort to live according to the Gospel, they should try to realize what a wealth of generosity, self-denial, and above all hope and interior liberty, poverty makes available to them. In poverty they will find the way to union with Him who, "though He was rich, yet for our sake became poor" (C2 Cor. 8,9) out of love for us, and Who "emptied Himself" (Phil. 2,7) to be at the service of His brethren.

Have you personally known someone who gave up everything to follow Jesus- literally sold all his possessions and entered a religious order? That is a radical response to the Gospel call of Jesus. We may think of the saints, in particular, St. Francis of Assisi, who gave up everything to follow Jesus in simplicity.

As Secular Carmelites we are called to love poverty according to our state in life. We are familiar with that old saying, "You can't take it with you!" So why not start now of detaching ourselves from the things of this world. We can challenge ourself to refrain from accumulating "stuff." The "stuff" that Jesus warns us will pass away. We must follow the Lord who tells us we must store up for ourselves treasure in heaven. St. Teresa, too, tells us that self-indulgence and prayer do not go together. As Carmelites let us challenge ourselves to be prudent in spending, and be ever-ready to support those in need.

Let us remember to support our Carmelite sisters and priests. They depend on the charity of others. As Carmelites let us keep in mind another familiar saying, "charity begins at home."

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, OCDS

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