Today we commemorate the great mother of God under the title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. In the Old Testament in the first book of Kings, we hear of the beauty of Mount Carmel, where 900 years before Christ, the prophet Elijah defended the faith of Israel in the living God. It was at Mount Carmel that Elijah, inspired by God, went to the people of Israel to have them turn back to the true worship of God. By this point, the Israelites were worshiping a false god. Through Elijah, God showed forth His glory to the people of Israel, and they returned to worship of God, proclaiming “The Lord is God! The Lord is God!”
During the thirteenth century, under the title of “Saint Mary of Mount Carmel,” the Order of Carmelites had its beginnings. These early Carmelites built a life of community in silence and solitude, having the Lord Jesus as the center of their activity in the Eucharist and Scripture. They imitated the prayerfulness of Mary, always reflecting on how God was touching their lives, and the devotion of Elijah in defending the true worship to the living God.
Mary’s prayerfulness is evident in Scripture. When the angel Gabriel explained to Mary how she was to be the mother of the Savior, her response was “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” When the angel first came to her, I could only imagine her surprise at having such a heavenly being before her. But being open to God’s working in her life, she listened to Gabriel as he explained how God was to work in her. Then, very bravely, accepted what God had in mind for her: “I am the handmaid of the Lord.” She was able to be open to the prompting of God’s will for her because she was able to contemplate on His presence in her life.
Then knowing her elderly cousin was in need of help, Mary traveled to Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, to be with her in her time of need. Mary’s response to Elizabeth’s greeting was “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.” Mary was always aware of God working within her and was always ready to respond to what God expected her to do.
We are called to follow Mary’s & Elijah’s examples in being open to God’s will in our lives. First we are called to reflect on God’s Word to us in scripture. Then we are called to go and be of service to others in our lives that may need us. We are to bring God’s love to all we are to come into contact with, whether it’s a relative in need, a friend or co-worker that may need someone to just be present in their time of need. We are to share the love of God with others with the words that Mary said: “I am the servant of the Lord” and “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.” By bringing the love of God to others in our lives, we are making this a world a better place to live. We are imitating both Elijah in being zealous for the Lord God and of Mary’s openness to doing His Holy Will.
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