Applying the rules

 A fascinating feature of our Carmelite saints for me is that as we discuss their writings in our Secular meetings, we find ourselves drawn into issues where our faith does not provide any direct and simple answers.  The Catechism lays down principles, but we have then to apply those principles in our daily lives, and that brings us face to face with dilemmas.  How to share our faith with our children, what to do when they rebel, how to cope with relationship challenges, how to figure out our personal priorities and so forth – these questions can come up in Secular meetings as a direct result of our study of our saints.  In other words, our discussion of the spiritual life leads us into discussion of how to apply our faith in our lives, and that takes us into the heart of living our faith.  I find this endlessly encouraging – that in our sharing in the context of our Carmelite meetings we are touching precisely on those areas where we most need help in living our faith, and where that help is hardest to find elsewhere. 

Intercessions:

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Jacqui, Theresa K, Fr Jon B, Catherine, Richard Parker

Siena, Elara – sick children

Wojtek – massive heart attack leaving him incapacitated

David OCDS – housebound

Sophia – blind infant

Grace – troubling ailments, job difficulties, family (deceased mother and health of father)

Lucia – Overwhelmed by weariness

Mark – brain infection

Defence of the unborn and the elderly

RIP Martin Gilham, Sue Burton, Joy Smith OCDS