I'm Gonna Lay My Burden Down
Give It a Try!
Hi there. I am having a horrible Tuesday, but I am deciding, as I write this, to put the past behind me, as Timon says, and be grateful I am alive. I’m gonna lay my burden down.
Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Non-Catholics, this is an interesting story.
The relation between Our Lady (the Blessed Virgin Mary) and Mount Carmel is geographic and biblical. Mount Carmel is about twenty miles from Nazareth and overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. It was considered a symbol of blessing and beauty for its rich vegetation (Isaiah 35.2), and a place of sacred memory to remember the second covenant between God and Israel.
The prophet Elijah prayed at Mount Carmel for rain, which was announced by a little cloud rising from the sea (1 Kings 18,41-46). The little cloud was subsequently identified as a symbol for Mary and eventually developed into the title Star of the Sea.
Mary announces Christ the Savior and already in the fifth century was hailed "Cloud of rain that offers drink to the souls of the Saints." (Chrysippus of Jerusalem)
Mount Carmel eventually attracted hermits, and from the twelfth century on was the residence of Latin hermits whose official name became "Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel." Following in the footsteps of Mary, they developed a Marian spirituality. *
That spirituality involves contemplative prayer, deep prayer that ponders the things of God, and living a life patterned on Mary’s life, one surrendered to God in all things.
That means to accept willingly whatever God sends. “Be it done unto me according to thy word.” That is what I plan to do today.
I invite you to do the same with whatever burden or trial you face. Not easy, but it is easier than carrying that painful burden alone. Put it down. Mary’s burden was the crucifixion of her Son. She said yes to God for that. She will ask God to help you say yes also.
https://udayton.edu/imri/mary/o/our-lady-of-mount-carmel-scapular.php#:~:text=The%20scapular%20was%20to%20be,most%20widely%20practiced%20Marian%20devotions.
I like it.
This is beautiful, Ann. I didn’t know the history that connected Mount Carmel with Mary. I hope whatever is causing today to be burdensome will be redeemed as you lay it down. Great reminder for me to do the same!