When the original Carmelites began to inhabit the caves and slopes of Mount Carmel they turned to the enduring image of the great nabi Elijah for their inspiration and ideal. Elijah the solitary hermit, who dwelt on Mt. Carmel, standing before the face of the living God, talking with the Lord. Elijah the fearless preacher, proclaiming to king and commoner the truths of the Lord. Elijah the man of faith and humility and trust, whose prayer caused the altar to burst into flames during his contest with the priests of Baal. Elijah the compassionate man, who tarried in his journey to provide meal and oil for the widow of Sarepta. Elijah the faithful servant of the Lord, who was plunged into fear and despondency in the desert at Bersabee; and who was eventually comforted by an angel of the Lord. Elijah the contemporary, relevant man, involved in the pressing situations of his time. Elijah the community man, dedicated to his sons of the prophets. Elijah the true and loving friend of Elisha.
For those first Carmelites, and for their successors throughout the centuries, Elijah was truly their leader and father, and the image of this life can be seen clearly in theirs. ~ from Journey to Carith: The Sources and Story of the Discalced Carmelites by Peter-Thomas Rohrbach
1 comments:
I love the story of Elijah and the widow of Sarapeta, it's one of my favorites! What a great reminder to give all you've got and you will never want for anything!
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