Stained Glass Scapulars-Reflections on the Secular Carmelite Rule

Photo: R. Massaro St. Anthony Church Akron, Ohio

From the Constitutions, Daily Life, #3:

Called to continual conversion, Secular Carmelites will seek to identify and place before God any obstacles and impediments to union with him. Confident in God's loving mercy, they will:

a)  Engage in a daily examination of conscience, ideally just before retiring or at the beginning of Night Prayer.

b)  Participate frequently in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

This short statement is powerful in nature, and a point of obedience that we should be following each day.  Perhaps we have been skimming over this point, after all, doesn't the Rule state to pray Night Prayer if possible...? And why should we be getting all worked up examining our conscience before going to bed? Oh my, how will one ever get to sleep?

We do not need to get stressed out over this discipline that every Christian is called to each day.  If we are truly living the spiritual life and trying to avoid even venial sins because of the love we have for God, we will know when we have sinned or failed against charity in the smallest of matters.  As the Psalmist says, "My sin is always before me..." Those who have the smallest infractions on their hearts and minds do not need to take the "shopping list" into the confessional, they only need to say what is already overflowing in their heart-sorrow for having failed in charity or other matters.

The person of sincere humility will have no trouble sleeping in God's peace after this examination, because he has acknowledged his sin and trusts in God's mercy and forgiveness. The truly humble soul is hopeful of God's help to overcome his faults and failings, and never tires of starting over.

We can bring our sins, faults, and imperfections to the Sacrament of Reconciliation on a regular basis in order to perfect ourselves, to grow in holiness and to remove all obstacles that may hinder our intimate relationship with the Lord.

St. Teresa teaches us that with prayer comes self-knowledge. We know that the Lord brings to our heart and mind in these silent moments with him the faults we need to work on. It takes humility to respond, "yes, Lord." If we are in denial or put up road blocks in our heart when the Holy Spirit tries to bring to mind where we have failed-this can be a serious obstacle to growing in virtue and holiness.  We must be courageous souls willing to see ourselves as we are, unpleasant though it may be.  We can be consoled, however, because we only have to look at the lives of our Carmelite saints to know that they have travelled this same road of self-knowledge. Let us follow them, for they took up their cross and followed Christ.

 

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, OCDS

___________________