In Rome, in the Basilica of St. Peter, we find statues of the founders of many Religious Orders. Under the statue of Elijah we read: “The entire Carmelite Order erected [this statue] to it’s founder”.
Elijah is not the founder of the Order in a historical sense. However in the biblical story of Elijah we find all the foundation stones on which the Traditions and Spirit of Carmel are built. He is the prophet of prayer and the true worship of God. He is single minded in his “zeal” for God. He is sent by God to do God’s work. He must depend upon God for everything. He experiences God in stillness and silence. In the new testament story of the transfiguration Elijah is a witness before all of us to the true identity of Jesus. Carmelites from the beginning have felt called to live in the “spirit and power” of Elijah.
....
No comments:
Post a Comment