CARMEL ITSELF RESEMBLES A CASTLE

We can relate Carmel as an interior castle. It was my first experience in my life to see a cloistered convent when I came to Malayattoor, Mount Carmel. It was in the Year of Mercy, our loving God gave me the chance to visit this "Heaven on earth". I was little bit terrified when I saw the black curtains but I gathered my courage and spoke with the sisters. Like Jeremiah in 17:12 "Our Temple is like a glorious throne, standing on a high mountain from the beginning". It seems that this house was formed in God’s heart from the beginning. I experienced that our Carmel is the place which was sanctified by the coming of St. Thomas the Apostle, was really the glorious throne of heaven on earth.

I was pleased to remain in my cell like our St. Little flower. I see this house and my little cell like the heaven on earth. Our life is a pilgrimage from this heaven on earth to the eternal home. I thank God for planting a soul into this more fertile soil from the place where I was, to have this heavenly experience in this life on earth. We are called to be the mother of souls and the gates of heaven shall be opened for us when we reach there with the many souls, we have saved for God. I praise God who knew me before I was formed in my mother’s womb and chosen me to live in this house.

God healed me form the fear of black curtain in the parlour by revealing to me its significance. As we know that black colour reminds us about death. Yes, it is those who have the courage to die for Christ who enter here to be dead to the world, dead to the passion of your body and dead to one's own will. God gives us the strength to die to the three enemies - the body, world and devil. Only those who have the desire to be dead to these enemies can enter and live here happily. It is the extreme love for God which is the way to Carmel. It is that burning love which has brought us here. When we enter this castle through the gate of love we can see many mansions in it. We have the tabernacle where we find God in the Holy Eucharist, besides that each cell is also a place where we find God’s presence. Hermitage is another beautiful place where the  mighty presence of God prevails. The more you keep the interior silence the more you can experience God’s presence in these places. My Cell is the common meeting place of my spouse with me, there my soul becomes one with Him, I speak with Him and nothing disturbs me there. This cell is also an altar, from which the fragrance of prayer spreads to the whole world. St. Edith Stein says, "from the cell to heaven”! Yes, by living in the cell which is the soul of Carmel, let us come in union with the Holy Trinity and continue this heavenly experience now on earth and then in eternity.

Carmel Malayattoor

 

HAIL REDEEMER KING DIVINE,

PRIEST AND LAMB, THE THRONE IS THINE.

KING WHOSE REIGN SHALL NEVER CEASE,

PRINCE OF EVERLASTING PEACE.

KING WHOSE NAME CREATION THRILLS,

RULE OUR MINDS, OUR HEARTS,OUR WILLS.

TILL IN PEACE EACH NATION RINGS

WITH THY PRAISES 

KING OF KINGS.

The Power of Prayer

Life is all about building relationships – with others, with God and with myself. Prayer is one such relationship. Prayer is all about relating to God, spending time with him, being aware of his presence. Prayer is very important in our lives. We can draw great inspiration from Jesus. If we take a look at Mark 1: 30 – 39 we realize that Jesus was full of zeal to spread the message of the kingdom of GOD. It would have been a very busy day in the life of Jesus. But finally Jesus went to a lonely place early in the morning and resorted to prayer, a conversation with his heavenly Father.  Jesus was tired at the end of the day. But by sharing with his Heavenly Father all his feelings, anxieties and aims Jesus regains the strength he needs to carry out the mission entrusted to him.

Prayer is like a mobile charger. When the mobile battery goes down, you plug in the charger and after some time the mobile begins to work efficiently. In the same way prayer recharges us and gives us the energy we need to carry on with our work. This is just one incident in the life of Jesus. In the Gospel there are many instances where it is mentioned that Jesus went to a lonely place to pray. Before Jesus chose 12 apostles he spent the entire night in prayer. God is indeed happy if we consult him before we begin a new journey or a new task. In Isaiah30: 1 – 18 God reproves the people of Israel for not consulting him.

Certain illnesses can be healed only through the power of prayer. The best example for this is found in Mathew 17: 14 – 21, when a man comes to Jesus because his son has epilepsy and the apostles could not heal the child. After the man left, the apostles asked Jesus why they couldn’t heal the boy. To this Jesus replied, “This can be done only through prayer.” Prayer has the power to overcome anything.

True prayer leads to an encounter with God. As we have seen above, Jesus shared everything with his Father in Heaven. In the same way we can freely share everything with God. By sharing with him we lighten our burden. When you encounter God you are no longer the same. Prayer has the ability to transform a person. It’s true that overnight you won’t see a change in yourself but if you believe, daily God is making some changes in you. A popular saying goes – Day by day nothing seems to be changing but when you look behind everything is different, THAT’S LIFE.

If one encounters God through prayer, the others around can notice a difference in the person. For example when Moses came down from the tent of meeting his face was shining so much that the people had to cover their faces. On Mount Taber Jesus was transfigured. Just to cite a few examples.

Reflecting on prayer I remembered an article I had read from a book. Prayer is GUIDANCE – God, U and I DANCE. Prayer is like a couple dancing together to soft waltz music. God and you cooperate with each other. He gently nudges you to bring you closer to himself. He leads you gently into following his steps.

We as Carmelites are fortunate to spend the 1^st hour of our day with God. He is our creator who has blessed us with yet another beautiful day. In prayer you will find the peace and consolation you need. You also get the strength you need to carry out the tasks assigned to you for the day. It will surely make a difference in your life.

Remember – The phone lines to heaven are currently free. God is waiting to speak to your heart.

Go speak to him freely.

Sr. Rose of Infant Jesus (Lyan)  O.C.D Novice

Carmel of God the Father, Pune.