Carmelite Wisdom

The other day in a Carmelite group we were discussing wisdom.  Today I found this quote from St John of the Cross: ‘Wisdom enters through love, silence, and mortification. It is great wisdom to know how to be silent and to look at neither the remarks, nor the deeds, nor the lives of others.’  Wisdom cannot be learned through courses like other subjects.  Perhaps we can be helped to learn it in part through books.  But John reminds us of the essentials.  I like his emphasis on not looking at the behaviour of others (except perhaps that of the saints and saintly inspiring persons), because I find that as soon as I start to dwell on the weaknesses and failings of others, my pride starts to swell.

Intercessions

RIP Mervyn Leach, father of two Secular Carmelites

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Jacqui, Fr Jon Bielowski (Plymouth Diocese), Catherine, Alex (43 with five children), Sister Daranee Teapthong, Theresa K

Sophie – newborn having heart surgery

Ivy – sick child

Brian (recovering from Pneumonia)

Kevin (heart attack)

William Gove (recovering from stroke)

Illness:  Katy Keeling

Siena, Elara – sick children

David OCDS – housebound

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

Mark – brain infection

Michael, Kira – vulnerable youngsters

Defence of the unborn and the elderly

We are asked to pray for the Diocese of Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand, as the Northern Mission celebrates its centenary. The process of selecting a new bishop continues.