Fr Aloysius Ashok Jayamani, OCD, Sri Lanka –
Carmel is indeed blessed to have both a feminine and a masculine archetype at the core of its spirituality. Mary and Prophet Elijah together, have exercised an unparalleled influence on the Carmelite order and spirituality. Though these two are fragile humans, their dedication and courage to do the will of God is to be admired for eternity. Prophet Elijah listened to the Word of God in stillness and silence. He was zealous for the living God. Mary – Mother of the Church – kept the Word of God in her heart. She was constantly pondering Him, Jesus Christ, our Lord, in silence, and she dedicated her life to God. They are icons of the contemplative life. Listening to the Word of God and pondering it in silence are indispensable parts of Carmelite life.
Chosen by God
Prophet Elijah appears as a native of Tishbe, as an innocent but popular servant of God (1 Kings 17). He proclaimed the Word of God to the Israelites, who followed idol worship and neglected the Yahweh. We do not know anything about his past, but he suddenly appears as a messenger of God. Mary was chosen by God (Lk1:26-27) to be the Mother of the Son of God. Though Mary knew not much about God’s plan and the expected Messiah, she completely surrendered to the will of God. Both witnessed the divine presence of God to the world.
Guided by God but Dependent on Human Charity
We see that God provided food to Prophet Elijah through the widow at Zarephath (1 Kings 17.9). The woman trusted the words of Prophet Elijah and provided food to him, and there was enough food for her and her son. In the life of Mary, we see that Mary was dependent on her husband Joseph for her daily bread. This clearly expresses that we also need to depend on God for everything and on human charity for our substance. It invites us to have unshakable trust in God’s word, power, and mercy.
Fed up with Life, but Never fed up with God
In 1 Kings 19:4, Prophet Elijah prays to God to take his life amidst suffering and fear of life as an ordinary man. But through prayer and fasting, he understands that God is the author of life. The life of Mary and her immaculate conception, her exile to Egypt, and the death of her only son portray the sufferings she faced. As a young woman, not only dis she accept the will of God but also feared for the society and religious teaching. But her faith in God’s providence never went down. Though they were popular, they never forgot their roots as children of God. Prophet Elijah and Mary had no other identity, than as children of God. Their whole concern was, in all their struggle and pain in life, how to please God. Today, Prophet Elijah stands as a champion of the poor and a true God. Mary embodies poverty as a virtue in her magnificence. Let their lives inspire us, and our lives may lead others to have strong faith in God.
Carmelite Scapular is Our Hope (July 16th)
We, the Carmelites, are privileged to have Mother Mary as our patroness, sister, and model, whose garment we wear as a sign of following in her footsteps to reach Christ and God in eternity. Concerning the Carmelite Scapular, in his letter, Pope Saint John Paul II stated, “Over time, the rich Marian heritage of Carmel has become, through the spread of holy Scapular devotion, a treasure for the Holy Church. By its simplicity, its anthropological value, and its relationship to Mary’s role in regard to the Church and humanity, this devotion is widely accepted by the people of God.”
Mary appeared to Saint Simon Stock when Carmel was having difficulty continuing its mission or existence in the Church. At the intercession of the friar, she gave the Scapular as a sign of her protection to them. Mary also promised her protection over those who wore it.
The Theological Principle
Scapular is one of the sacramentals on two grounds. First: it has been approved by the Church throughout the centuries. Second: the Scapular is attached to the spiritual meaning of grace.
Scapular as Sign
The Church uses several signs to signify spiritual and even supernatural realities. The Bread, Wine, Water are used as signs to understand the higher reality of Christ’s sacrifice for humanity. Pope Saint John Paul II explains the sign of the Scapular as the constant protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary and “covenant”—the reciprocal communion between Mary and the Faithful, the People of God.
Fr Aloysius Ashok Jayamani, OCD ([email protected]) is currently a missionary priest at Sri Lankan Missionary, Kegalle, Sri Lanka. He was ordained on July 12, 2023. He has two bachelorettes in history and (ecclesiastical) philosophy as well as two masters in philosophy and sociology. He is an avid reader.