SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER
PENTECOST-FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL (15th S. Ord. Time)
This Sunday focuses on the need
for constant repentance and fidelity to our baptismal vows
1 Maccabees, Chapter 12, Verse 28
When the enemy heard that Jonathan and his
men were ready for battle, their hearts sank with fear and dread. They lighted fires in their camp and then withdrew.
As this little soap
opera continues we last see that Jonathan took care of the Greek Apollonius. In
many ways this little ditty is like the gang warfare in Chicago or LA.
Amazingly the area is about the same size. As the story continues we see more
betrayal. Demetrius forms an alliance with Ptolemy to take Alexander’s
turf and add it to Egypt’s. Then, begins the all-out turf war, cross and double
cross with no real winners; Jonathan then saw that the time
was right, he chose men and sent them to Rome to confirm and renew the
friendship with the Romans. He also sent letters to the
Spartans and other places to the same effect. He is hedging his bet. Now we
come to this verse where Demetrius sends a large army to attack Jonathan.
Jonathan is prepared for this and when Demetrius’ army discovers how prepared
they are they flee by a rouse. Clever little cowards; like all bullies when
confronted they exit stage left. It seems that men haven’t really changed much
since the days of Jonathan Maccabee. Perhaps this is why it is not included in
the protestant bible who wants to see we are in need of God’s help. We must
admit our failures; repent and strive to live our baptismal vows.
Renewal of Baptismal Promises[1]
V. Do you reject Satan?
R. I do.
V. And all his works?
R. I do.
V. And all his empty promises?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
R. I do.
V. God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and forgiven all our sins. May he also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever.
R. Amen.
R. I do.
V. And all his works?
R. I do.
V. And all his empty promises?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
R. I do.
V. God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and forgiven all our sins. May he also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever.
R. Amen.
(This is a family service that is directed by one of the parents. The family members renew their baptismal vows and sprinkle themselves with the Easter water,)
Let us remember that will our
ladies help we can live up to these promises.
THE Church celebrates on this day
the feast of the Scapular of Mount Carmel. The scapular, which derives its name
from the Latin word scapulas, meaning shoulders, is a dress which covers the
shoulders. It is mentioned in the rule of St. Benedict as worn by monks over
their other dress when they were at work, and it now forms a regular part of
the religious dress in the old Orders. But it is best known among Catholics as the
name of two little pieces of cloth worn out of devotion to the Blessed Virgin
over the shoulders, under the ordinary garb, and connected by strings. The
devotion of the scapular, now almost universal in the Catholic Church, began
with the Carmelites. The history of its origin is as follows: During the
thirteenth century the Carmelite Order suffered great persecution, and on July 16,
1251, while St. Simon Stock, then general of the Order, was at prayer, the
Blessed Virgin appeared to him, holding in her hand a scapular. Giving it to
the saint, she said, ”Receive, my dear son, this scapular of thy Order, as the
distinctive sign of my confraternity, and the mark of the privilege which I
have obtained for thee and the children of Carmel. It is a sign of salvation, a
safeguard in danger, and a special pledge of peace and protection till the end
of time.” “Whosoever dies wearing this shall be preserved from eternal flames.”
It is much to be wished that people should everywhere join this confraternity, for
the honor of Mary and for the salvation of souls, by a life fitted to that end.
In order to have a share in the merits of the sodality every member must: 1.
Shun sin, and, according to his state of life, live chastely. 2. Say every day,
if possible, seven times, Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be to the Father. 3.
Strive to serve God by venerating Mary, and imitating her virtues. These
rules, it is true, are not binding under penalty of sin, but the breach of them
deprives us of all merit; and is not this something to be taken into account? “He
who soweth sparingly shall also reap sparingly.”(n. Cor. ix. 6).
Things to Do[3]
·
If
you have not already done so, have a priest enroll
you in the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, or popularly known as the
"Brown Scapular" and begin wearing it as a sign of your love for Our
Lady.
·
Wearing
the Brown Scapular is not an automatic guarantee of salvation. It is not a
magical charm, nor is it an excuse to live in a way contrary to the teachings
of the Church. (see Catechism,
no. 1670.)
·
See
the Directory
on Popular Piety the
Brown Scapular is included in the document as a wonderful pious practice.
The history of Marian piety also includes "devotion" to various
scapulars, the most common of which is devotion to the Scapular of Our Lady of
Mount Carmel. Its use is truly universal and, undoubtedly, it is one of those
pious practices which the Council described as "recommended by the
Magisterium throughout the centuries."
·
Pope
John Paul II has worn the scapular for a long time. See the Holy Father's talk
on the Scapular
of Carmel, A Treasure for the Church.
·
For
the definitive treatment on the brown scapular, read The Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel: Catechesis and Ritual.
·
The
Blessed Virgin's scapular should remind us that Christians have an apostolate
against current extremes and extravagances in modes of dress. Clothes are a
symbol of the person. Like the Christian heart, dress must be chaste and
simple, for one judges the interior from the exterior. It should not be
necessary to add that special attention be given this matter when preparing for
church attendance. Examine yourself on how well you reflect Christian modesty
in your dress and if you are a parent, how well you ensure that your children
are modestly dressed.
·
In
New York City in East Harlem is one of the oldest festivals in America for
Our Lady of Mount Carmel. See Our Lady of
Mount Carmel Shrine of East Harlem – since 1881. Also Williamsburg in Brooklyn, NY
annually holds the Festival of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and St. Paulinus of Nola
(Festa Del Giglio). It is unique to see a scene that one would expect in Europe
unfolding on the street of a major East coast city. You can view a You Tube
clip right here. Also look around your area for Italian
parishes, maybe one named after Our Lady of Mount Carmel? Many times the parish
will host wonderful festivals in her honor.
·
Watch
this You
Tube video to learn more about devotion to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.
·
From
the Catholic Culture library, the
Scapular Devotion, a description of Different
Kinds of Scapulars, The
Brown Scapular and information on the
Scapular Medal.
·
Learn
more about St. Simon Stock and the Brown Scapular.
According to the International Dairy Foods Association, the origins of ice cream date back to the second century B.C., when several prominent historical figures such as Alexander the Great, King Soloman and Nero Claudius Caesar enjoyed consuming iced beverages and snow. As the centuries passed, the snow and ice was refined into cream ice and eventually, in 1777, ice cream was first advertised in New York. However, ice cream was a rare delicacy for the elite until 1800s when ice houses were built. Since then, it has become a staple dessert for the American people.
National
Ice Cream Day Facts & Quotes
·
During
the summer of 1790, President George Washington spent $200 on ice cream.
Meanwhile, according to Thomas Berry of Duke University, the price of 1
pound of coffee was $0.50 in 1788.
·
10%
of milk in the US goes towards making ice cream.
·
During
World War II, ice cream was served to troops to boost morale while sanctions
and rationing was in effect for the general public. When the war ended,
rationing of ice cream was lifted and Americans celebrated victory with a cold,
creamy treat. In fact, each American consumed more than 20 quarts of ice cream
in 1946.
·
In
2014, 872 million gallons of ice cream were produced in the United States.
The average American annually consumes 22 pounds of ice cream.
·
Ice
cream is a nutritious and wholesome food, enjoyed by over ninety percent of the
people in the United States. It enjoys a reputation as the perfect dessert and
snack food. Over eight hundred and eighty-seven million gallons of ice cream
were consumed in the United States in 1983. - President Ronald Reagan,
Proclamation 5219 - National Ice Cream Month and National Ice Cream Day, 1984
Daily Devotions/Prayers
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