Homily on Wednesday, 15th Week in OT, 16 July 2025, DBPH Chapel Talamban
Today we celebrate the memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. This is actually celebrated as a big feast in all Carmelite Monasteries including the one we have in Mabolo, since it was today that Our Lady appeared to St Simon Stock and gave him the Brown Scapular saying “Whoever dies clothed in this habit shall not suffer the fires of hell.” Today the pious practice of wearing the Brown Scapular remains widespread especially among the Carmelites and those who belong to the Confraternity affiliated to the Carmelite Order.
In the first reading from the book of Exodus we heard the amazing story of how Moses encountered God for the first time on the holy ground of Mount Horeb. And it was precisely there in that meeting before a strange phenomenon of a burning bush that the Lord revealed to him his real mission in life, that is, to save his people from their slavery in Egypt. Indeed as the Responsorial Psalm today proclaims “The Lord is kind and merciful.” He makes use even of the most ordinary persons in order to save the weak and the oppressed from the abusive hands of the powerful.
As we celebrate this Holy Mass may we keep in mind that this chapel is for us also a holy ground as it is made holy by his real presence in the Eucharist. This is the very spot where we can encounter God in a very intimate way and hear his voice softly but clearly revealing to us his will and, perhaps, also our specific mission in life despite our being “too young” or “not so young anymore.” This is precisely where we can find out how we are to make everyday a truly pleasing sacrifice of praise to Him who is truly the Eternal God always present among us.
Let us keep in mind that no matter how simple and ordinary, young and elderly we might be, God still calls us and sends us to accomplish a great mission in this world, that is, to proclaim Christ’s saving love for all, each one of us according to our own status in life. In fact on July 26, the Church will be commemorating Sts Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Grandparents of Jesus our Lord. And the following day, which is the fourth Sunday of July, will be Grandparents Day or World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly (first proclaimed by Pope Francis in 2021).
There is one thing therefore that we should always remember at every passing day: when it comes to holiness, age doesn’t really matter. Some of us might doubt that what Moses saw on Mt Horeb was not really a burning bush unconsumed by fire. But no one can doubt or deny the blazing fire within him consuming his heart with passion for God and his people.
In this Eucharist, may we too, whether young or old, be inflamed with the same fire of love for God and his people. GiGsss.
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