FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL.

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL.

WHAT IS REVEALED TO THE CHILDLIKE.

"At that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.

"Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father.

"No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” (Matthew 11: 25 - 27).

Wednesday July 16th 2025 in the 15th Week in Ordinary Time is the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

What words do we associate with Mount Carmel? The Prophet Elijah, the Carmelite Order, St. Simon Stock.

On July 16, 1251 the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St Simon Stock, the Superior General of the Carmelites in England and gave him the brown scapula.

Mary promised her protection to all those who wear the scapula. This is the origin of the devotion of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Brown Scapula. The brown scapula is one of the numerous sacramentals of the Church.

Some years ago, a friend of mine gave me a Brown Scapula. I hung it on the wall in my Prayer Area. On the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel a couple of years ago, I was inspired to put on that Brown Scapula just for the feast day. After the feast, I continued to wear it day and night. After some years, it fell apart from constant use. I prayed to Our Lady for inspiration on how to replace it. The prayer was answered immediately. That instant answer was a sign for me that the Blessed Mother wants that scapula round my neck.

Do not neglect the Sacramentals of the Church: holy water, crucifix, Rosary, Bible, holy pictures, etc.

In our short and powerful Gospel of today, Jesus praised the wisdom and modus operandi of His Father for singling out the childlike for His special favors.

Who is the childlike? Where can we find one to study? Let us take a look at the profile of St Therese of the Child Jesus, also called St Therese the Little Flower and St Therese of Lisieux. A Carmelite. 

St Therese is one of the most beloved saints in the Church. She is a powerful intercessor and her contribution to spirituality can be summarized thus:

#1 Utter simplicity in everything.
#2 Profound trust in Divine Providence.

St Therese you may say was chosen to be St Therese before she was born. At the age of 6, she had a profound faith in the Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and in the Blessed Sacrament.

Asked one day how she was so sure of this, her response was disarming and profound: Jesus said: "This is My Body. This is My Blood." Since Jesus is God and Almighty, nothing is impossible for Him.

Does this not remind us of the Blessed Virgin Mary? To the word that She would conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit and give birth to the Son of God, she replied: "Be it done to me according to Your word." No fear. No worry. No doubt. All things are possible for God. All things are easy for God. 

Is there a connection between faith and simplicity?  Simplicity in thoughts and habits may facilitate the habit of believing. This seems to be the witness of many saints.
"Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven." (Matthew 18: 3).

Be simple like Jesus and Therese. Dare to Believe. Thank You Father for teaching us through the little ones.

The Church honors the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in July.

"But you were purchased with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a sacrificial lamb unblemished and spotless" (1 Peter 1: 19).

Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ purify and heal us.

For Prayers and Prayer intentions for the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/06/july-devotion-to-precious-body-of-jesus.html?m=1