Fr Greg, Carmelite priest – blog, homilies, fun and holy ideas
Carmelite homily for Lectionary 488 – Thursday, November 7, 2019
In today’s Gospel we have two parables, very similar – the lost sheep and the lost coin. Jesus is looking for us. But Teresa of Avila reminds us that we should be looking for Jesus. She writes, “We should occupy ourselves in looking at Christ who is looking at us.”
Carmelite homily for Lectionary 487 – Wednesday, November 6, 2019
In today’s Gospel, Jesus says whoever does not take up his cross and follow him is not worthy to be his disciple. But Jesus doesn’t say why. Why should we take up this cross? But Teresa of Avila answers it. She says, “If you wish to gain freedom of spirit begin by not being afraid of the cross.” Because it is the crosses of our lives that pull us past ego, past fear, past self-appetites, past selfishness – and self. It is the cross that brings us to freedom. So if you wish to gain freedom, begin by not being afraid of the cross.
Carmelite homily for Lectionary 486 – Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Saint Teresa of Avila has an interesting and thought-provoking line. She says, “What a pity it was to have left you, my Lord, under the pretext of serving you.” Oftentimes, yes, we’re busy with the chaos of our lives, our busy minds, you know; but sometimes we leave the Lord because we think we’re serving the Lord. It’s easier to do something than it is to pray. Or do something than it is to be silent. Or do something than it is to introspect. Yes, I think she’s right – it is a pity when we leave the Lord under the pretext of serving the Lord. This is an extra warning in today’s Gospel when Jesus talks about the Kingdom of God being like a banquet and all the invited guests bow out one by one. Are we doing the same?
Carmelite homily for Lectionary 485 – Monday, November 4, 2019
In today’s Gospel Jesus tells us to invite to the poor, the crippled, the blind, the lame – in a word, everybody – to a banquet that we hold. We think, “How can we do this?” Teresa of Avila reminds us. She says, “How can we share our gifts lavishly if we do not understand that we are rich?” That’s how we can do this. We are immensely rich. We can share with everybody.
Carmelite homily for Lectionary 153 – Sunday, November 3, 2019
In his Sayings of Light and Love, Saint John of the Cross instructs us that, “Travelers cannot reach new territory if they do not take new roads and abandon the old familiar ones.” Good advice! In today’s Gospel, Jesus is going to Jericho – a new road for him. But more importantly, Zacchaeus is climbing a sycamore tree. That’s a new road for him. He’s going to reach new territory: comfort, and closeness, and love of Jesus. If we want those, we need to take new roads and abandon the old familiar ones that are getting us nowhere.
Carmelite homily for Lectionary 668 | Commemoration of All Souls | Saturday, November 2, 2019
On the day of her profession as a Carmelite, Saint Therese of Lisieux carried a piece of paper in the habit pocket over her heart and it said, “Jesus, allow me to save many souls. Let no soul be lost today. Let all the souls in Purgatory be saved. Jesus, pardon me if I say anything I should not say. I want only to give you joy, and to console you.” On this Feast of All Souls, make that your mission. Let us make that our mission.
Carmelite homily for Lectionary 667 – Solemnity of All Saints, Friday, November 1, 2019
In today’s Gospel we have the Beatitudes on this Feast, this Solemnity of All Saints. Sister Constance is a nun at Baltimore Carmel and she’s written a set of Carmelite Beatitudes. They’re available online. I’m not going to read them all, but just a few and you’ll get that feel for carmelite-ness in her Beatitudes.
Her list continues. The Beatitudes are paths to sanctity; whether they are Jesus’ in Matthew’s Gospel or Sister Constance’s, available to you online. The call is to be saints ourselves and we do this by being “Blesseds” in the world today.
Carmelite homily for Lectionary 482 – Thursday, October 31, 2019
In her autobiography, Story of a Soul, Saint Therese uses many different images. One of my favorites is of a little bird. She writes, “Ahhh, this little bird picks up a grain, then it chases after a little worm, then coming upon a little pool of water it wets its feathers hardly formed, then it sees an attractive flower its little mind is absorbed with this little flower. In a word, it is unable to soar like the eagles. This little bird is caught up in the trifles of the earth. But, O Jesus, your little bird is happy to be weak and little and would it never become big because then it would not have the tenacity, the boldness, to be in your presence and fall asleep. Yes, keep me weak, Lord. This little bird wants to fix its gaze upon you.” Today, Jesus uses the image of wanting to gather little birds under his wings. I think Therese has captured this very well.
Carmelite homily for Lectionary 481 – Wednesday, October 30, 2019
In his Sayings of Light of Love, Saint John of the Cross writes, “The Lord does not look on our greatness but only on the greatness of our humility.” In today’s Gospel all these people are calling after Jesus and saying, “Lord, Lord!” and “Who will be saved?” And he says, “Try to come in through the narrow gate.” The narrow gate is a small gate; maybe a humble gate. The smallest gate. It is humbleness that he calls us to. The Lord does not look on our greatness but only on the greatness of our humility.
Carmelite homily for Lectionary 480 – Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Carmel means “Garden of God” – Carm-El. That’s why the saints, the Carmelites saints, are likened to flowers, like the Little Flower called herself “Little Flower.” Here’s what Titus Brandsma in his book, “Carmelite Mysticism Historical Sketches,” says about Mary. “Mary is like a sunflower. This flower rises high above the other flowers. It is a simple flower. It can grow in all gardens. It is tall and firm with deep roots, always pointing towards the sun, yet keeping its head down in humility.” Today, in the Gospel, Jesus uses agricultural – gardening – metaphors. What kind of flower are you? Are you a weed? Are you a beautiful flower? Are you like Therese, a simple flower?