THREE WORDS OF WISDOM

I REJECT SIN

Today on this feast of the Baptism of the Lord I was thinking of the renewal of our baptismal promises that we make during Easter. The priest questions us and asks us if we reject sin and Satan, we respond, "I do." We make a definite and profound statement that we will reject sin in our life and with the grace of God endeavor to lead a life of holiness in imitation of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Secular Carmelite's reception of the large brown scapular during the clothing service is a sign of our baptismal calling.  The priest who presides over our clothing day Mass spoke at length about this a few years ago. He gave a beautiful homily illustrating that the scapular we wear is an extension of our baptismal garment. Why? Because as Carmelites we profess to live the evangelical counsels: chastity, poverty, and obedience. This is the life of Jesus Christ and our response to his call of " take up your cross and follow me."

The Church gives the faithful the gift of indulgences. One of the requirements to gain a plenary indulgence is to be free from any attachments to sin, even venial sin. The other requirements are:

*Perform the work to which the indulgence is attached

*Receive the sacrament of confession

*Receive Holy Communion

*Pray for the intention of the Holy Father

These requirements are the basis of our life as secular Carmelites. If we look at each requirement we will see these requirements lived out in our vocation. 

The Carmelite is called to a life of prayer on behalf of the Church. We are seeking a pure heart, so we are striving to be free from any attachments of sin, even venial sin.  Our Holy Mother, St. Teresa of Jesus repeats this holy desire of being free from even venial sins in all of her writings.

We are to live a Eucharistic life. We are called to attend Mass daily, if possible. We are called, as our Rule states, to have "a great esteem for the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

The Church gives us the gift of indulgence as an offering of mercy to the sinner to shorten the soul's stay in purgatory. The secular Carmelite, by our life of prayer, penance, and self-denial is seeking to purify our soul in this life, so that when we die, there will be no separation and we may see Him "face-to-face."

Bl. Elizabeth of the Trinity, is one of the Carmelite saints who speaks about this purification and that heaven begins now and not when we die. In our life as secular Carmelites we are trying to keep our baptismal garment unstained for the day when we meet the Beloved at the eternal wedding feast.

The baptismal rite includes the following statement:

You have become a new creation, and have clothed yourselves in Christ. See in this white garment the outward sign of our Christian dignity. With your family and friends to help you by word and example, bring that dignity unstained into everlasting life.

St. Therese wanted to keep this holy garment unstained, she states 

this in her writings. This Doctor of the Church, this Doctor of Love, is a model we can follow on our way of perfection up Mt. Carmel. We have the help of our family, our Carmelite brothers and sisters and our holy parents of the Order: St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Jesus. May they pray for us and help us to always 'reject sin and satan,' so that with a pure heart we may be able to see as St. John the Baptist saw, the perfect Lamb of God, face-to-face." And, one day, may we hear those beautiful words, "Come, my beloved, for in you I am well-pleased!

Let us pray for each other.

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, ocds

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