"...not to be served but to serve..." (Mark 10:45)

By Jesus washing their feet at the Last Supper, the Apostles become both sacrifices and priests. In Jesus' time priests had to wash their feet, and one had to wash the feet of animal sacrifices. By washing their feet, Jesus equips the Apostles to be poured out in sacrifice as offerings to the Father, and to themselves make this offering both in the Eucharist and in the daily offering of their lives for love of God. This washing of the Apostles' feet is related to the sacrament of Baptism, which draws its power from the Cross, the ultimate sign of service. By Baptism, the whole community of the faithful is a priestly people. "'...by regeneration and the anointing of the Holy Spirit, [they] are consecrated to be a spiritual house and a holy priesthood, that through all the works of Christian men they may offer spiritual sacrifices.' Incorporated in Jesus Christ, the baptized are united to him and to his sacrifice in the offering they make of themselves and their daily activities (cf. Rom 12:1,2) (Christifideles Laici, 14) and in their fulfillment of their call to be poured out in sacrifice--"...not to be served but to serve..." (Mark 10:24).
     As priestly people by virtue of our Baptism, we are called to service, to take our example from that of the Cross, to serve our brothers and sisters out of selfless love, to "...walk the road Christ Himself walked, a way of poverty and obedience, of service and self-sacrifice even to death, a death from which he emerged victorious by his resurrection" (CCC 852). Service reminds us of our dependence on one another and of our need for community. It reminds us that we are not self-sufficient, but that we need each other, enrich each other, complete each other and exist in the service of each other (CCC 340). No creature is self-sufficient. "God wills the interdependence of creatures. The sun and the moon, the cedar and the little flower, the eagle and the sparrow:.....their countless diversities and inequalities tells us that no creature is self-sufficient. Creatures exist only in dependence on each other, to complete each other, in the service of each other" (CCC 340).
     The mutual dependence seen throughout all of creation is poignantly seen in the mutual dependance linking the different generations, the young and the old (Pope John Paul II's Letter to the Elderly, 10). "The elderly help us to see human affairs with greater wisdom...[and they] are able to offer young people precious advice and guidance" (Pope John Paul II's Letter to the Elderly, 10). Likewise, youth offer the elderly their enthusiasm and spirit, helping to preserve their youth and vitality. "...[There is a] mutual dependence and indispensable solidarity which link the different generations, inasmuch as every person needs others and draws enrichment from the gifts and charisms of all" (Pope John Paul II's Letter to the Elderly, 10). There is an old Jewish tale in which a young woman says to an old woman, "what is life's heaviest burden"? And the old woman answers, "to have nothing to carry" (Franciscan Prayer by Ilia Delio, O.S.F.). A love that is truly life-giving and transforming, bringing out in us who we are truly created to be, is one that serves the other, helps us carry the other's burdens, and ultimately empties us of self.
     In the call of service is a call to humility. As instruments of the Holy Spirit, we must empty ourselves so that the Holy Spirit can come and work through us. The true definition of humility is that of living in truth before God. Humility is truth. As we learn from Jesus the way of the Cross, we also learn humility from Him who is "meek and humble of heart." Jesus is totally emptied of and free from preoccupation with self. He, the King of the Universe, is born in a stable, washes the feet of His followers, and freely gives up His life on the cross. He shows us the true meaning of humility, that it is not having a low opinion of oneself or admitting wrongdoing, but that it is "readiness to abase oneself, to lower oneself and serve the brothers and sisters; it is having the will to serve. This is done out of love, not out of any other motives" (Sober Intoxication of the Holy Spirit by Roniero Cantalamessa, O.F.M., Cap.).
     True service means serving others out of humility without self-interest or calculation, as in the parable about the dinner guests, "But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you" (Luke 14:13-14). It means pouring ourselves out freely and not living only for ourselves (2 Corinthians 5:15). It condemns our instinct to elevate ourselves above our neighbors, realizing that we are dependent on each other. It means we don't use our gifts for ourselves or to dominate others, but we use them for the service of others (Sober Intoxication of the Holy Spirit by Raniero Cantalamessa, O.F.M., Cap.)--" ...not to be served but to serve..." (Mark 10:45).


Written by Kristen, Special Events Coordinator for the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm

Trust and Surrender

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into bards, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day's own trouble be sufficient for the day."  -Matt. 6:25-34

There is something to be said about the concepts of surrender and trust. These words are not really welcomed in today's society. To surrender in today's terms is to give up. To trust is to be weak and foolish. If we truly look at these two words in the light of Truth and what they encompass, then we begin to see that these words require a complete gift of self. To surrender and trust is to put aside our own wants and desires and seek those of another: the Lord. In this passage from Matthew's Gospel, Jesus tells us not to be anxious about anything, but rather, to trust that our heavenly Father knows our needs and desires. When we simply surrender and trust, we submit ourselves to a will more perfect than our own and our lives will be flooded with an unshakable peace. It is when we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness that our confidence and trust in the Lord begin to grow in unexpected ways. Let us open up our hearts to Him in a new way and begin to see the different ways that the Lord takes care of us. 


Written by Alycia, Special Events Coordinator for the Carmelite Sister for the Aged and Infirm

Glory! Honor! Praise!

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."  - 1 Corinthians 10:31

What is our motivation each day? Is our motivation the Lord? Is everything thing we speak, think, and do for the greater honor and glory of God? Is our life continual praise to the Most Holy Trinity? As we finish out this week, let us pray that we do so in honor, glory and praise of the Holy Trinity!

"Let my praise be the life I live for you!" -Lyrics by Sarah Kroger, "Let My Praise"


Written by Alycia, Special Events Coordinator for the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm

"We are a Eucharistic People"

We are a Eucharistic people. The Eucharist - cleanses and separates us from sin[1], is our spiritual food,[2] is an increase of the grace received at Baptism[3], is the source of conversion and penance[4], and commits us to the poor[5]. The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith[6].  Through our participation in the Eucharistic feast we establish a community of believers[7], are transformed through Christ[8], are united in Christ[9], are united as Christians[10], are united to the heavenly liturgy[11], and experience a foretaste of the life to come[12]. We are a Eucharistic people from age to age, united as one body in Love of Christ.

From the very beginning of the Church we have been a Eucharistic people. In Acts 2:42 our life as a Eucharistic people and the outline of our faith is present: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of the bread and the prayers. . . Day by day attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with generous hearts.”[13]

The Eucharist, through the power of Christ’s great mercy and love, unifies us with all those present at the institution at the Last Supper, with the Church Fathers, with the martyrs of the early Church, with the great saints of the Middle Ages, with the Carmelite Order, with the Seraphic Order, with all the holy angels and saints from generation to generation, and on all the altars throughout the world. This unity transcends the barriers of time and space and provides for us not only strength, but also a comfort.  It provides a strength in numbers united fully to the Church Militant and the Church Triumphant, to withstand and combat the attacks of the devil so as to win souls. It provides a comfort in such an unbreakable unity that provides for the hearts of all the faithful the opportunity and great privilege of developing, fostering, and witnessing to others an authentic Christian life saturated in mercy, grace, Eucharistic zeal, and charity.

Service

"When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." A second time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you fastened your own belt and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will fasten your belt for you and carry you where you do not wish to go." (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, "Follow me."  -John 21:15-19

This Gospel reading,  I believe, is a beautiful example of what it takes for true service in the Church. If we look at this passage closely in the Greek text, we can see that there are two kinds of love spoken about. The first two times Jesus asks Peter if he loves him, Jesus speaks of Agape love. Agape love being the highest form of love. Peter, however, because of everything that previously has happened with his betrayal of Christ, is hesitant to respond with that kind of love. Instead, he responds with Philia love, which is a devoted familial love. The last time that Jesus asks Peter, he asks him with Philia love and Peter responds in Philia love.

What is so beautiful about this Gospel reading is that Jesus meets Peter where he is at. He simply asks Peter if he loves him. Jesus doesn't ask Peter if he would be a great Pope and leader, teaching all truth without fault, guiding souls closer to Heaven without losing a single one. He simply asks, "Do you love me?" That's all that is required in service, true service in and of Church, love. It's not required that we perform miracles or do great works but rather that we love in all we do. It is in and through our movements of love that we truly follow Christ and that souls experience and witness Him, who first loved us!

Let us pray for the grace to simply love in all that we do, think, say, and pray!

Written by Alycia, Special Events Coordinator for the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is beautiful! As we prepare for the great Feast of Pentecost, let us reflect on the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Cardinal Luis Aponte Martinez, in his book, True Devotion to the Holy Spirit, gives us a wonderful reflection on such a topic. He says,

"The Holy Spirit's teaching is unction. He teaches us by pouring himself into us gently and penetratingly. His teaching is as a divine caress of love. He teaches us as mothers teach their children, with kisses of love, with an indefinable outpouring of tenderness. We learn from him as we perceive the fragrance of a perfume, as we savor the sweetness of a fruit or enjoy the caress of a breeze that enfolds us. 

The light of the Holy Spirit is the fruit of love; it is the happy consequence of union. United intimately to divine things through the work of the Holy Spirit, the soul tastes them by a direct divine experience. How profoundly do the words of St. John express this: "His anointing teaches you concerning all things."

The true director of souls, the intimate master, the soul of the spiritual life, is the Holy Spirit. Without him...there is no sanctity. The perfection of a soul is measured by its docility to the movement of the Spirit, by the promptitude and fidelity with which its strings produce the divine notes of the song of love. A soul is perfectly holy when the spirit of love has taken full possession of it, when the divine artist finds no resistance or dissonance in the strings of that living lyre, but only celestial strains coming forth from it, limpid, ardent, and delightfully harmonized."

As Pentecost approaches, may we be open and docile to the teachings of the Holy Spirit, the master of the spiritual life, so as to fully live out our Christian life in complete charity.

Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, Amen!

Written by Alycia, Special Events Coordinator for the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm

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