OXYGEN

16 Jul – Memorial for Our Lady of Mount Carmel

The Church celebrates on this day the feast of the Scapular of Mount Carmel. The scapular, which derives its name from the Latin word scapulæ, meaning shoulders, is a dress which covers the shoulders. It is best known among 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 began with the Carmelites. During the 13th century the Carmelite Order suffered great persecution, and on 16 July 1251, while Saint 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 honour 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 everyday, if possible, seven times the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.
3.    Strive to serve God by venerating Mary, and imitating her virtues.

Though not binding under penalty of sin, the breach of these rules deprives us of all merit.

- Patron Saint Index
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Exodus 3:13-20

Moses, hearing the voice of God coming from the middle of the bush, said to him ‘I am to go, then, to the sons of Israel and say to them, “The God of your fathers has sent me to you.” But if they ask me what his name is, what am I to tell them?’ And God said to Moses, ‘I Am who I Am. This’ he added ‘is what you must say to the sons of Israel: “I Am has sent me to you.”‘And God also said to Moses, ‘You are to say to the sons of Israel: “The Lord, the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.” This is my name for all time; by this name I shall be invoked for all generations to come.

‘Go and gather the elders of Israel together and tell them, “The Lord, the God of your fathers, has appeared to me, – the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob; and he has said to me: I have visited you and seen all that the Egyptians are doing to you. And so I have resolved to bring you up out of Egypt where you are oppressed, into the land of the Canaanites, the Hittities, the Amorites, the Perzzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, to a land where milk and honey flow.” They will listen to your words, and with the elders of Israel you are to go to the king of Egypt and say to him, “The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has come to meet us. Give us leave, then, to make a three day’s journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifice to the Lord our God.” For myself, knowing that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless he is forced by a mighty hand, I shall show my power and strike Egypt with all the wonders I am going to work there. After this he will let you go.’
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Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus exclaimed: ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’
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Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest.

Do you feel sometimes that we are overwhelmed with emotions? It could be pressure to excel in our studies, the need to perform well at work, or assuring our love ones that we are there for them. There is also the fear of being hurt in a relationship, the bitterness of being bypassed for a promotion or a misunderstanding with our friends. When we are unable to let go of our emotions, it will somehow affect out state of mind and as a result we will become tired.

Have we ever surrendered the situation that we are facing to the Lord and trust that He will show us His will? Indeed there were many occasions when I was uncertain on the issues that I faced like my job and my family, and I just turned to the Lord. He does give you rest and a peace of mind.

In the Gospel of today, the Lord told Moses that He is aware that the Pharaoh of Egypt would not let his people go unless he is compelled by a mighty hand. The Lord intended to stretch out His arm and strike Egypt with all the wonders He intend to work there. In our daily lives, sometimes we are just so focused on doing what we think that we know best, but it may not be the right solution. It is until we are at crossroads that we have to let go and surrender to the Lord. It is only then that the Lord can work miracles.

Let us learn to trust in God. When faced with trials and tribulations, let us go down on bended knee and seek guidance from the Lord. Learn to be still and just pray with open hands and listen to God. Be still and know that God is right beside you. Step up to Him in faith and be assured His yoke is indeed light.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Patricia Ang)
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Prayer: Lord, forgive us for the times we fail to be still and not trust in you. Allow us to let go of issues that drain and pushes us away from you. Allow us to grow in faith.

Thanksgiving: Thank You for the joy, peace, righteousness that You have placed in our lives. Continue to show us clarity and use us as instruments for your glory.

Upcoming Readings:
Fri, 17 Jul – Exodus 11:10-12:14; Matthew 12:1-8
Sat, 18 Jul – Exodus 12:37-42; Matthew 12:14-21
Sun, 19 Jul – Jeremiah 23:1-6; Ephesians 2:13-18; Mark 6:30-34; Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time