Jubilee is a word for celebratory joy. As a Third Order Carmelite I see living out my vocation to Carmel as a life of celebration – bathing in God`s loving grace, giving me joy.
Third Order Carmelites live their lives in hope. Hope for their future heavenly home with God our Father and the hope which our relationship with God gives us in our daily lives. Opening our heart to Him, recognising His presence and listening to Him in silence fills us with hope in every action we will carry out due to His prompting. We must be beacons of hope to all whom we meet in our daily lives.
There is so much fear, loneliness and depression in the world, therefore, it is easy to dwell on this. But God our Father in His graciousness gives us so much more: the signs of hope He gives us in nature – the guarantee of new life each year, the spring flowers, the birds nesting, the birth of lambs. The cycle of life is full of joy and is eternal. Signs such as these give us feelings of hope and joy. Death leads to life! Just as when we die in Christ we also come to life in Him. He leads us to our Father who has a place prepared for us where our joy will come to its fulfilment as we live eternally in His presence. “In my Father`s house there are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14 v 1 -2.
Also, Colossians 1 v 5 says: “because of the hope which is stored up for you in heaven.” As Carmelites we live our lives with this goal foremost in our minds.
I started my journey into Carmel because of someone I met. There was something that radiated from this person – peace, trust in God and that word again hope! I wanted what this person had. So I was invited to a Third Order Carmelite meeting. After one meeting I knew I had found my spiritual home. After many years in charismatic renewal I was looking for a quiet spirituality. The people I met were welcoming, cheerful, encouraging and had a relationship with God that oozed from their pores.
From that day on God has put me into situations which were often well outside my comfort zone but I have learnt through Carmelite spirituality to have trust and hope that “all will be well.” I have realised God puts you into places and situations as you are needed. We often cannot see this until we look back and see that God`s hand was truly at work in that situation. We achieve because we have hope and trust in the guidance of the Holy Spirit and in God`s plan. With God nothing is impossible if we follow where He leads.
We must frequently open dialogue with God: `Lay Carmelites live a life of intense prayer, focused on a personal dialogue with the Lord, the true friend of humanity. As St Teresa of Jesus says, “Prayer… is nothing more than an intimate and frequent dialogue of friendship with the one whom we know loves us.”` (Living the Carmelite Way. Rule 36, 65).
Above all we need to listen to our Father. If we tune into what God is asking of us the way forward becomes clearer. God knows what we are capable of. He gives us the strength to cope and move forward. What we need to be aware of is the danger of trying to do things ourselves – drifting from God`s guidance and taking over the situation – that is when it all starts to go wrong.
The Rule for the Third Order of Carmel given to us at Reception is a way of life! We must read it regularly as it keeps us grounded in the love and direction of God through Carmel.
Teresa Kelly. T.O.C National Moderator
