The simplicity of love
The Carmelites prefer not to have their individual photos taken. Here is a picture of their convent on the Koolau slopes.
In the daily life of Carmel, it is the presence of God that keeps us going. Here, we have a twofold mission to be, and to live, in God’s presence. As Carmelite Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity said, “God in me, and I in him,” we try through our solitary lives to simply live in God’s love. Thus, through our being both hidden and visible witnesses of God, we hope we can encourage all people to know that God is here, God is present, and that God is alive. This is our task on earth.
Within the cloister we live a life of prayer, not one of merely praying prayers. Day and night we occupy ourselves with God and pray for other people. It isn’t about kneeling down and praying and saying the many intentions. No, God already knows them. Rather, as we enter into prayer as a way of life and let God transform us, then by faith we know that God has already graced all the people we hold in our prayers. When we use our whole effort to do the things that God would like us to do, cooperate with God, invite God to be with us, we know that God is pleased. Then, even summer cleaning, making things tidy here and there, is a part of our being present to God in prayer.
Sometimes there are interruptions. We want to do this and the whole time, along the whole way, our ego might get in the way. Other times, there are others we meet and we get distracted there. Our human nature cannot consciously say every minute, “Now, I am in the presence of God.” But we try to be more attentive to Christ’s presence and hand ourselves to him through conforming our heart sentiments to his. We pray for his glorious grace. In this way, just by faith, we know God is working in us and others.
Of course, self-acceptance is important too. Once we accept ourselves, we will have the strength to accept others. In our interrelationship with others, just keep it simple. Simplicity is about remembering the first sin in the garden of Eden. We know that we are creatures and not gods. We know we are created by God and in God’s image and likeness. We know we are God’s loving children and try to love Him in return. Because God accepts me, loves me; I accept you, I accept her. God already forgives us. Don’t waste time being preoccupied with feeling sorry, say you are sorry, and immediately continue to love God, to continue in the work.
Life in Carmel is a life of faith, hope, love and simplicity. We are happy knowing that we are with God, and within God, and that he is pleased. As Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity said, “Since God is there, let us keep him company, as a friend with a friend.” This divine union is quite interior and it is the essence of our life in Carmel. It is what makes our solitude so dear to us, for as our Father St. John of the Cross says, “Two hearts that love each other prefer solitude to everything else.”
Sister Agnella Iu is a member of the Order of Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. She has been professed 40 years and resides at Carmel of the Holy Trinity off the Pali Highway on the grounds of St. Stephen Diocesan Center.
