they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes.
But I tell you, it will be more tolerable
for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
And as for you, Capernaum:
Will you be exalted to heaven?
You will go down to the nether world.
For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Sodom,
it would have remained until this day.
But I tell you, it will be more tolerable
for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
REFLECTION
Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.
Mt. Carmel is a holy mountain overlooking the Mediterranean Sea on the coast of Israel. It is where Elijah built an altar to the God of Israel to show the priests of Baal, a false god, that the God of Israel was the one true God. It is also the place that Our Lady of Mt. Carmel appeared to St. Simon Stock.
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel gave St. Simon the brown scapular. Mary told him that the scapular represented her garment which will protect those who wear it and who consecrate themselves to her. She promised that those who do this will receive her special protection.
She said to St. Simon, "Receive, my son this habit of thy order, this shall be to thee and to all Carmelites a privilege, that whosoever dies clothed in this shall never suffer eternal fire. It shall be a sign of salvation, protectionism in danger, and a pledge of peace."
Later our Lady appeared to Pope John XXII also and explained this about the power of wearing the scapular, "I the Mother of Grace, shall descend on the Saturday after their death and whomever I find in Purgatory, I shall free, so that I may lead them to the holy mountain of life everlasting."
The Church tradition has approved of wearing the brown scapular after pledging to a commitment to: Follow Jesus like Mary; to be open to God's Will; be guided by faith, hope, and charity; to pray at all times (especially the rosary); and to discover God's presence in all * that occurs around us.
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