The way of generous service

Our readings this weekend should shape our response to those in need. It is two widows who show us the way to live according to the mind and heart of God.

The first reading tells of a poor widow’s generosity to Elijah the prophet. Even though she was down to her very last portion of food, which she was saving for her son and herself, she was prepared to share it with Elijah. Her reward was a never-ending supply of flour and oil.

The same generosity is shown by the widow (but not by the scribes) in the Gospel. Her dedication and generosity in the midst of her poverty was a real sacrifice.

The widow is a contrast to the wealthy scribes who parade around in long robes and make a show of lengthy prayers. Jesus condemns them for their insincerity, their use of religious show to enhance their status and their unjust exploitation of widows.

Jesus does not want his disciples imitating the showy religiosity of the corrupt scribes, but rather the sincerity and generosity of the widow who gave ‘her all’ just as Jesus will shortly give ‘his all’ on the Cross. It is a reinforcement of the messages about ‘coming to serve, not to be served’ which have dominated the last four weeks of readings.

The way of Jesus is not about show, but about sincere dedication and generosity in our service of God and one another. Remember the contrasting stories about James and John and Bartimaeus over the last couple of weeks.

Following Christ is not about giving the ‘left overs’ but giving everything. The two widows gave all they had to live on. Jesus will give his life for our salvation.

It is the kind of dedication and selfless generosity we see in people who put their own lives at risk while attempting to rescue others from disaster. Disciples are called to give all in their following of Jesus and in their generous service of others.

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Celebrating at Home is a Liturgy of the Word centred around the Gospel reading for each Sunday. It includes a reflection on the Gospel and prayers.

It can be used personally or with your family. Parts for all to pray are given in bold print and all the other parts can be shared among those present.

We hope that Celebrating at Home will be a source of nourishment and strength for all who use it.

In the room you decide to use for this prayer you could have a lighted candle, a crucifix and the Bible. These symbols help keep us mindful of the sacredness of our time of prayer and can help us feel connected with our local worshipping communities.

On Saturday, October 16, 2021, the Liturgy and Prayer Commission of the Order met for their 10th meeting since the General Chapter in 2019. All the meetings, so far, have been held via Zoom. It is hoped to have a first physical meeting in March of next year, expected to last a full week.

The commission has addressed a number of issues over these past two years. The previous liturgy commission (2013-2019) left two important documents ‘The Ritual for the Third Order’ (a completed document) and ‘The Profession Ritual for Religious Profess in the Order’, which the present commission has been working towards a final approval in the near future. Much of this work has been detailed work regarding language and translation.

Considerable time was taken up on the discussion on liturgical scholarship and formation within the Order. The Prior General responded positively to a letter from the commission in this regard. The members will work towards collaboration with the Formation Commission in this area. There are now three scholars doing post graduate work in liturgy. The groundwork for a pastoral liturgical congress in the next few years is being worked on, also a ‘colloquium’ within the coming year.

It has noted that this remit is twofold, both liturgy and prayer. The Liturgical Calendar is expected to be approved by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in the near future. The document of Pope Francis, Traditionis Coustodes and an Address recently by the Prefect of the Congregation, Archbishop Arthur Roche at Sant’ Anselmo were discussed. Among others topics discussed were, the dignity of liturgical books, shrines and pilgrimages, and the giving of the habit in initial formation (CON 162).

The members of the Commission are: Richard Byrne, O. Carm (Curia), John Keating, O. Carm., (Hib), Robert Manik, O. Carm. (Indo), Sr. Nerina de Simone, CMSTBG, Désiré Unen Alimange, O. Carm. (Ita/Congo), Alexander Vella, O. Carm. (CISA/ Mel). The next meeting will take place on November 6, 2021.

This work of 176 pages collects some of the presentations given at the 2016 International Course for Formators and Vocation Promoters of the Order in Batu, Malang, Indonesia. So one would logically think it is for those involved in Carmelite formation programs. And you would be correct.

The title however, with its subtitle Growing in the Contemplative Dimension of One’s Life, would indicate its focus on something much larger than topics in Carmelite formation programs. And you would be correct. In fact, I picked the book up because of its apparent focus on how to develop one’s contemplative side. I was not disappointed.

This book really has four possible audiences: formators but not necessarily of Carmelite programs; those interested in the Bible as a source of contemplation and specifically the Carmelite history of contemplation; some of the psychological aspects of human development; and vocation ministry. There is something for people of each focus in one or the other parts of the book.

The schedule of the conference called for conferences to be held in the morning and practices of contemplative prayer in the afternoon—a purposeful integration of theory and practice.

I wish to focus here on the first two talks. The first talk, The Bible as the Source of Contemplation, is, as its author Carmelite Berthold Pareira states upfront, “not about contemplation in the Bible but about the Bible as the source of contemplation.” Fr. Pareira takes the reader through a myriad of examples to bring home this point. What is most appreciative is that it a practical guide to liturgy, the psalms, the Song of Songs, and contemplation.

The second talk is a historical review of contemplation in Carmelite history by German Carmelite Michael Plattig. But do not let yourself fall into thinking this is just another history lesson. I have had the pleasure of hearing Plattig “live” on a couple of occasions. But his written word is just as engaging. The material he presents is thought provoking even for those who have heard conferences before on the Order’s long history with the practice of contemplation.

Other chapters in the book focus on two talks by Quinn Conners, O. Carm.: “The ability to give love and give of oneself” and “The capacity for responsible are and stewardship, expressed in ‘service in the midst of the people;’” and two talks by Spanish Carmelite Desiderio García Martínez: “With other eyes: accompanying formandi in a multicultural community that grows through contemplation” and “We are going to build ourselves a city: accompanying formandi growing in contemplation in the presence of the influence of technology.” The book concludes with two chapters on vocations ministry. One is by Daryl Moresco on “The theological basis of vocation promotion.” The other is by Irvin Mangmang on “Rising to the Challenge of Vocation Ministry in the 21st Century: the Philippine Experience.”

The book is published by Edizioni Carmelitane, and the price is 10 euros.

Click here to access this and other many fine publications at Edizioni Carmelitane.

To place your order please contact:

Libreria Nardecchia
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Lord, the meaning of our life is to seek your Word, which came to us in the person of Christ. Make me capable of welcoming what is new in the Gospel of the Beatitudes, so that I may change my life. I would know nothing about you were it not for the light of the words spoken by your Son Jesus, who came to tell us of your marvels. When I am weak, if I go to Him, the Word of God, then I become strong. When I act foolishly, the wisdom of his Gospel restores me to relish God and the kindness of his love. He guides me to the paths of life. When some deformity appears in me, I reflect on his Word and the image of my personality becomes beautiful. When solitude tries to make me dry, my spiritual marriage to him makes my life fruitful. When I discover some sadness or unhappiness in myself, the thought of Him, my only good, opens the way to joy. Therese of the Child Jesus has a saying that sums up the desire for holiness as an intense search for God and a listening to others: «If you are nothing, remember that Jesus is all. You must therefore lose your little nothing into his infinite all and think of nothing else but this uniquely lovable all...» (Letters, 87, to Marie Guérin).

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The Great Commandment

The first reading from the Book of Deuteronomy and the Gospel today are linked by the words of the Shema – the creed which observant Jews pray every morning and evening. These words come from the Book of Deuteronomy: Listen, Israel: The Lord our God is the one Lord. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength. The title, Shema, comes from the Hebrew word for ‘listen’, the very first word of the prayer.

In a way, Shema is a call to conversion: to listen deeply with the heart and to respond to God’s grace and mercy with love, faithfulness and obedience.

When a scribe asks Jesus, “Which is the first of all the commandments?”, Jesus replies by quoting the Shema and then adds a quotation from the Book of Leviticus (19:18), “You must love your neighbour as yourself ”. According to Jesus, there is no commandment greater than these.

The scribe is impressed by Jesus’ reply. His words to Jesus show he has grasped what Jesus means. In repeating what Jesus has just said in his own words, the scribe also adds, “this is far more important than any holocaust or sacrifice”. Now it is Jesus who is impressed with the scribe’s depth of understanding: that love is the very heart of obedience to God and more important even than ritual worship. The scribe’s correct understanding of the Old Testament Law means he is very close to the Kingdom of God.

It also means that true faith, as Jesus teaches it, is about being in loving relationship with God and other human beings. Religious rituals are meant to be ways of reflecting on, savouring, remembering, celebrating and expressing that love. Sometimes they just end up as ‘empty’ rituals, when love has been replaced by fear, when we are trying to bargain with God, or when we are just ‘going through the motions’.

The Kingdom of God is not some far off place, but the moments when God’s life breaks into the human story. Those moments bring love, wisdom, grace, compassion, generosity, forgiveness and peace. Those practiced in the things of God recognise God’s presence most of all in loving relationships. If our rituals grow out of and express our sincere love for God and neighbour then they have value. We are always at risk of putting ritual above the practise of love, of thinking that we are at rights with God just by attending a liturgy, by ‘paying God off ’, in a sense.

The words of Jesus remind us of the importance of the other part of our religious lives – the liturgy of everyday life in which we make present and visible the love, mercy and compassion of God.

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Celebrating at Home is a Liturgy of the Word centred around the Gospel reading for each Sunday. It includes a reflection on the Gospel and prayers.

It can be used personally or with your family. Parts for all to pray are given in bold print and all the other parts can be shared among those present.

We hope that Celebrating at Home will be a source of nourishment and strength for all who use it.

In the room you decide to use for this prayer you could have a lighted candle, a crucifix and the Bible. These symbols help keep us mindful of the sacredness of our time of prayer and can help us feel connected with our local worshipping communities.

The Closure of the Diocesan Investigation of Servant of God Sr. Maria Cristina dell’Eucarestia Alonso Alonso, O. Carm. was held on October 8, 2021.

The acts of the diocesan investigation, transported to Rome by the Postulator General, nominated Portitrice by the Archbishop of Barcelona (Spain), Cardinal Omella Omella, have been delivered to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on October 14. This is the beginning of the Roman phase of the cause for beatification and canonization of the Servant of God. Shortly the acts of the diocesan investigation will be placed under the formal control and on behald of the officials of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. It they are found worthy, a relator will be named who studies the cause and at the end will edit a positio on the life, virtue, reputation for holiness, and the signs of the Servant of God.

The Servant of God Maria Cristina dell’Eucarestia , born on May 16, 1930 in Coó (Los Corrales de Buelna), Spain. This is a small town in Cantabria, province of Santander, the seventh daughter of Eulogio and Maria. On May 26 she was baptized and, at the age of eight years, received her First Communion. Moving to Barcelona for her studies, she attended Azione Catholic, a group of young people. She entrusted her spiritual life to the guidance of the young priest, Narciso Jubany Arnau, a future cardinal archbishop of Barcelona. She felt a strong vocational call to religious life, in particular a call to Carmel. After some initial difficulties, she was welcomed into the Monastery of the Encarnation on April 15, 1955 at the age of 24. She entered the novitiate on October 16, 1955, being vested in the Carmelite habit. On November 1, 1956, she made her first profession, taking the name of Maria Cristiana dell’Eucarestia. Three years later, on November 1, 1959, she took solemn vows.

On April 1, 1963, the first symptoms of the illness appeared: multiple sclerosis, an painful and humiliating illness, which slowly resulted in total immobility. She fully accepted the will of God for her, happy to totally conforming to her crucified Spouse. On May 3, 1979, Sr. Maria Cristina yielded her beautiful soul to God, surrounded by the wide-spread fame of holiness. In 1996 the first steps for her cause of beatification and canonization were taken and on November 27, 2003 the first session of the diocesan investigation were celebrated on the life, virtue, and fame of holiness and signs. Its final face was on October 8, 2021, in the chapel of the Monastery of the Encarnation in Barcelona, the monastery which accepted the Servant of God for the 20 years of her brief life.

Initium Novitiatus

24-06-21 Adorn Ansel (STSA) Lisieux Bhavan Chala, India
15-08-21 Patrick Mingard (Gal) Nante, France

Professio Temporanea

31-08-21 Giovanna D'Aniello (SAR) Sogliano al Rubicone, Italia

Professio Solemnis

16-07-21 Matteo Antonllini (Ita) Castellina, Italia
04-09-21 Maria Sabrina Fubelli (CAR) Carpineto Romano, Italia
08-09-21 Mary Jackline Bochaberi of the Cross (MAC) Machakos, Kenya
08-09-21 Mary Veronica Muthini of Christ the King (MAC) Machakos, Kenya
11-09-21 Richard Philip Green (Brit) Aylesford, England

Ordinatio Diaconalis

03-07-21 Alfredo Pisana (Ita) Torrespaccata, Italia
17-10-21 Emery Losinu (Ita-Cong) Butempo, Dem Rep Congo
17-10-21 Samuel Ndjate (Ita-Cong) Butempo, Dem Rep Congo

Ordinatio Sacerdotalis

20-08-21 Mário Josué Bernando Alves (Pern) Jaboatão dos Guasarapes, Brasil
21-08-21 Jorge da Costa Silva (Pern) Alagoa Grande, Brasil
25-09-21 Bruno Castro Shoder (Rio) São Paulo, Brasil
17-10-21 Matthias Mukombozi (Ita-Cong) Butempo, Dem Rep Congo
17-10-21 Gilbert Paluku (Ita-Cong) Butempo, Dem Rep Congo
17-10-21 Charles Kambale (Ita-Cong) Butempo, Dem Rep Congo
17-10-21 Innocent Djomby (Ita-Cong) Butempo, Dem Rep Congo

What do you want me to do for you?

There are all kinds of blindness - physical, lack of insight or perception, an unwillingness to see a confronting reality, and so on. For many weeks now we have travelled with Jesus and the disciples as they head towards Jerusalem. Many times, the disciples have seemed almost wilfully blind to understanding the mission of Jesus. Time and again, their own egos seem to get in the way – arguments about which is the greatest, wanting to be people of high status, powerbrokers and princes and rulers in the kingdom.

On this journey Jesus has been instructing the disciples about his mission and their call to be true followers of his. As we have seen, they have largely resisted both.

We are nearing the end of the journey. Today’s Gospel episode, the cure of blind Bartimaeus, is the last before Jesus enters the Holy City.

Bartimaeus may be blind, but he sees more clearly who Jesus is than the sighted disciples. In terms of faith, it is the disciples who are blind, and it is Bartimaeus who sees.

Even in his blindness Bartimaeus recognises who Jesus is. When Jesus calls him, his reaction is full of energy and enthusiasm. He throws off his cloak, jumps up and makes his way to Jesus, in contrast to the rather hesitant attitude of the disciples.

Jesus restores Bartimaeus’ sight with the words, ‘Go, your faith has saved you.’ But Bartimaeus does not go; he stays and follows Jesus.

Not only has Jesus restored Bartimaeus’ sight, he has also removed the taint of sinfulness which surrounded people with disabilities in those days.

This story is a parable about discipleship.

Bartimaeus is an image of the true disciple. He recognises his blindness and asks for healing. He comes to Jesus with great faith and enthusiasm and not much else. With sight restored he becomes a follower of Jesus on the journey to Jerusalem.

The presence of Jesus in our lives heals and restores us to our true calling as the People of God so that we can truly follow Jesus in our lives.

What Jesus asks Bartimaeus, he asks us, too: What do you want me to do for you?

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•   pdf Celebrando En Familia - 30 Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario(211 KB)
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Celebrating at Home is a Liturgy of the Word centred around the Gospel reading for each Sunday. It includes a reflection on the Gospel and prayers.

It can be used personally or with your family. Parts for all to pray are given in bold print and all the other parts can be shared among those present.

We hope that Celebrating at Home will be a source of nourishment and strength for all who use it.

In the room you decide to use for this prayer you could have a lighted candle, a crucifix and the Bible. These symbols help keep us mindful of the sacredness of our time of prayer and can help us feel connected with our local worshipping communities.

Servants, not masters

They’re at it again! One might be forgiven for wondering at just how slow the disciples are in getting Jesus’ message. For weeks he has been instructing them about the Kingdom of God and the conversion of heart needed to be his followers.

This Sunday’s Gospel episode shows that, yet again, they just don’t get it. This time it is James and John, who together with Peter form the ‘inner circle’, the group of disciples closest to Jesus. James and John are asking for the highest places of honour when Jesus comes into his ‘glory’.

While they understand that Jesus is the Messiah, they misunderstand what kind of Messiah he is and what kind of Kingdom he is bringing. While Jesus continues to talk about the path his own life will take through suffering, death and resurrection, the disciples are so focussed on themselves that they ignore his words.

Rather than brush aside the brash request of James and John, Jesus attempts to draw them deeper by hinting at the path of true discipleship. Using two biblical motifs, the cup (the fate that lies ahead of a person) and baptism (not the sacrament but the idea that undergoing trials and dangers is like passing through stormy, turbulent waters) Jesus asks if they can really commit to sharing his life and mission. Without hesitating they say, “We can,” and Jesus affirms that they will. But, as for the places of honour, these are for the Father to assign.

The other ten disciples have been standing nearby, eavesdropping on the conversation between Jesus, James and John. They are angry at hearing of their attempt to get in first and claim the seats of honour for themselves – no doubt, they would have liked to do the same!

Jesus takes the opportunity to tell them, yet again, that real greatness in the Kingdom of God lies in self-sacrificing service to humanity. Authority among the people of Christ is not to be exercised by ‘lording it over’ others or by using positions and capacities for self-serving ends. Authority is always to be at the service of and for the benefit of others. Disciples are called to be servants, not masters.

As we follow Jesus through the Gospel we see that his ‘authority’ over demons, illness and death, as well as his teaching, always brings liberation, restores health and wholeness and sets others at rights with God and neighbour. That is the pattern that he asks the disciples follow. The only way to enter into Jesus’ ‘glory’ is to follow him in self-sacrificing service of humanity, as one who gives up their life as a ransom for many.

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•   pdf Celebrando In Casa - 29 Domenica del Tempo Ordinario(356 KB)

...

Celebrating at Home is a Liturgy of the Word centred around the Gospel reading for each Sunday. It includes a reflection on the Gospel and prayers.

It can be used personally or with your family. Parts for all to pray are given in bold print and all the other parts can be shared among those present.

We hope that Celebrating at Home will be a source of nourishment and strength for all who use it.

In the room you decide to use for this prayer you could have a lighted candle, a crucifix and the Bible. These symbols help keep us mindful of the sacredness of our time of prayer and can help us feel connected with our local worshipping communities.

On October 15th we celebrate the feast of St. Teresa of Jesus (or of Avila), Virgin and Doctor of the Church.

Saint Teresa is among the most important figures of all time for Catholic spirituality.

Her works-- especially the four best known (The Life, The Way of Perfection, The Interior Castle and The Book of Foundations)-- together with her more historical works, contain a doctrine which encompasses the whole of the spiritual life, from the first steps right up to intimacy with God at the center of the Interior Castle.

Her Letters show her occupied with a great variety of everyday problems.

Her doctrine on the unity of the soul with God follows the Carmelite tradition which had preceded her and to which she herself contributed in such a notable way, enriching it as well as passing the tradition on, not only to her spiritual sons and daughters, but also to the whole Church which she served so unsparingly.

Too many confuse being loved with love itself. Love is outgoing, unselfish, active. It means giving rather than self-seeking. It strives to please rather than be pleased.

In Saint Teresa's own words:

“Perhaps we do not know what love is. It would not surprise me, for love consists not in the extent of our own happiness, but in the firmness of our determination to please God in everything.”

“Let nothing disturb thee;
 Let nothing dismay thee:
 All thing pass;
 God never changes.
 Patience attains
 All that it strives for.
 He who has God
 Finds he lacks nothing:
 God alone suffices.”

Read St. Teresa's bio here

Read the Message of Pope Francis to the Bishop of Avila on the occasion of the opening of the Teresian Jubilee year on October 15, 2014, here

Read the words of Pope Benedict XVI on St. Teresa during the General Audience of February 2, 2011, here

To learn more about the life of St. Teresa and her work and legacy, we suggest reading the book The Heirs of St. Teresa of Avila, published by Edizioni Carmelitane.

To access this and many other fine publications at Edizioni Carmelitane, click here.

To place your order please contact:

Libreria Nardecchia
TEL.: (+39) 06-5373901
FAX: (+39) 06-5373902
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Edizioni Carmelitane
TEL.: +39-0646201807
FAX: +39-0646201808
C.C.P.: 14069009
BIC/SWIFT: BPPIITRRXXX
IBAN: IT67 Z076 0103 2000 0001 4069 009
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