Fr Greg, Carmelite priest – blog, homilies, fun and holy ideas
Carmelite homily for Lectionary 477 – Friday, October 25, 2019
There’s a line from Saint Therese of Lisieux. She writes, “In Carmel, we do not have enemies, but we do have feelings.” In today’s Gospel, Jesus is talking about opponents, magistrates and trials. I think the call is: let’s never get there. Let’s have feelings positive, in regard, patience for one another. Let’s not have enemies. In Carmel, we do not have enemies, but we do have feelings. Let’s hope they’re positive.
Carmelite homily for Lectionary 470 – Thursday, October 17, 2019
It seems that all the Carmelite writers have the same quotation – maybe they’re quoting each other, but it’s a good one. “The Lord will never look at the greatness of your deeds; only upon the love with which they are done.” In today’s Gospel we have Jesus condemning the people because they’re defending the faith, and going after him and each other, and building great monuments. They’re doing all sorts of things that are laudatory, but no love in them. I think this quotation from John of the Cross, from Teresa of Avila, from Therese of Lisieux, from ‘you name that Carmelite author’, it’s there: “The Lord will never look at the greatness of your deeds; only upon the love with which they are done.” Whatever you do today, no matter how great, do it with love.