Three Words of Wisdom

(photo: R.Massaro-Walsh College Campus)

 LORD, TEACH US

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished,one of his disciples said to him,
"Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples."
He said to them, "When you pray, say:
Father, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread
and forgive us our sins
for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us,
and do not subject us to the final test." (Luke: 11)

These words by the apostles in today's Gospel show great wisdom and humility on their part.  We can reflect on our own lives and ask ourselves, Do we allow anyone to teach us anything?

The apostles new their place before the Lord, Jesus was their great Teacher and Master. In our society, the Church has a major problem with Catholics who refuse to be obedient and follow church teaching. One has only to pick up the newspaper and read the results of poll after poll in which Catholics state they do not believe the Church's teaching on various issues.

We are living in a society in which relativism, secularism, and materialism are three words of ill-wisdom that have replaced poverty, chastity, obedience.  You may say, wait a minute, those three virtues are only for the religious.  No, indeed, all, without exception, are called to holiness. But the Lord is dealing with stubborn people today, just as today's first reading suggests. Stubborn people who refuse to obey the will of God, who refuse to be detached from worldly possessions, stubborn people who refuse to die to themselves and be obedient to the Church and the Holy Father!


As secular Carmelites, we are constantly challenged to remember the three words of wisdom: Lord, teach us... we must be willing to be formed in the spiritual life by the Holy Spirit through the teachings of the Carmelite Saints and our spiritual director.  If we never follow the advice of our spiritual director, well, I'm afraid that we are not truly being obedient to Christ. 

Let us look to the saints who were anxious to do the will of God by being obedient to their spiritual director and superiors. The saints have no problem saying: Lord, teach me...not only to pray, but to be obedient, to be chaste, to be kind, to be humble...

Let us pray for each other, that we seek to follow Christ and his teachings through the Holy Father, through our local bishop, and through the superiors of the Order of Carmel.

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
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