Three Words of Wisdom: Staying On Track

There is an old saying by farmers about corn crops: "Knee high by the Fourth of July."

This refers to the observation that one's corn crop is on track to reap a good harvest.

This saying by farmers is a good metaphor for the spiritual life as well. We could ask ourselves if we are on track, so to speak, in our spiritual life and ready for the Harvest Master when he calls.

How do we measure if we are on track? With the only device that Christians possess: the ruler of love.

We can ask ourselves if we are producing good fruit from our prayer life and responding charitably in situations that try us. Sometimes, Secular Carmelites get caught up in the question: What mansion am I in (referring to St. Teresa's Interior Castle)? St. Therese wrote that she did not care about what mansion she was in, because she measured everything by love. In one of her famous poems, Living on Love, she writes:

Living on Love is sailing unceasingly,

Sowing peace and joy in every heart,

Beloved Pilot, Charity impels me,

For I see you in my sister souls.

Charity is my only star.

In its brightness I sail straight ahead.

I've my motto written on my sail:

"Living on Love."

In the above line we see that she treated her sisters as if they were Christ. This is another device we can use to measure our charity. Do we treat everyone the same? Do we play favorites? The Lord teaches us that sinners love those who love them. Do we make a sincere effort to love those who are difficult to love?

You don't have to be a Secular Carmelite to know that St. Therese's life of simplicity and confidence and trust in God was more than a mere motto of "Living on Love." The Holy Spirit-The Spirit of Love, filled her soul to the brim and overflowing with the great gift of charity that we all seek in our desire for holiness. The good news is that her "Little Way" is accessible to all, for all are called to holiness. As St. Teresa teaches us we don't have to think much, but to love much. This is all that is required of us.

As St. Paul says, "Do everything with love."

St. Therese, Doctor of Love, pray for us!

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, OCDS

The Fruits of the Holy Spirit-11th Hymn of Virtue: Charity

"...Over all these put on Love, which binds the rest together and makes them perfect." Colossians 3:14

In this article, I will be using the symbolism of a holy garment of love that Christians should wear.

In preparing for the feast of Pentecost, I have been thinking about how the Holy Spirit helps us to be faithful to our Secular Carmelite promises of chastity, poverty, and obedience. We know that if we are in the state of grace that the Holy Spirit is living and working in us and providing us with the gifts and fruits of the spirit to respond with love to the situations in our every day life.
The Gifts of the Spirit: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, Fear of the Lord.
The Fruits of the Spirit: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity,gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity
In St. Paul's letter to the Colossians he is in effect telling us to put on a holy overcoat of Love. This glorious garment will be seen by all and "They will know we are Christians by our Love."

However, we must remember that underneath this holy coat are still the beautiful garments of the gifts and fruits of the Spirit that we have put on, when we put on Christ.

According to St. Teresa, the truly humble person will not know that he wearing such a beautiful and saintly garment. He will notice other people wearing the garment and secretly pray to God that he may possess this garment, too. If we possess this garment of Love, we will be seen as the one who wears a garment like Jesus wore.

Bl. Teresa of Calcutta was known for saying, "There are not two loves, or three loves, only one Love. And God is love."

Bl. Teresa was a person poor and humble in the eyes of the world. She wore a lowly habit of the consecrated religious, but even for those who are walking in darkness they could see that she was clothed in the holy habit of God's Love.

As Carmelites, we put on a holy habit-the Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. We normally wear it, not for others to see but next to our heart where true love of God and neighbor is born, and lived out in response to our baptismal promises.

We make our promises near the altar, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, with the Saints as witnesses and we entrust our promises to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.

Our Lady, the Spouse of the Holy Spirit will help us to keep our baptismal garment pure and our holy cloak of Love unstained as well.

Let us be open to the Holy Spirit, especially on this holy day, that He will clothe us with the robe of salvation, His Spirit living and working in us. May others truly be witnesses of our holy life and echo that famous hymn: "They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love."

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, OCDS