1st response to 3 of 4

Group #5 responded:

All of our predecessors have had to grapple with holy creative tension, such as that expressed in the Flaming Arrow. What is it in your life?

All of our experiences matter.
Mendicants close to urban growth vs contemplative life.
History of order – examples – Mary and Martha
Transition - Hermits vs mendicant (alms, travelers)
What is it in your life?
Started as isolate – now community
Self discipline, humility, sensitive to ordinary
Living – listen to others – don’t jump in with advice – we can make people dependant – don’t enable
We enter Carmel with our own reasons – new guidelines and formation guidelines can be more work – struggle. Christ the center – obligations, family, other things – need prudence. Surrender to God’s will.

Surrender and humility – be open – listen – work vs contemplative prayer

So many charities wanting money
Protestant vs Catholic charities
Catholics help everyone – discernment about who is needy.
Carmelites need to learn each others needs in communities.
Evangelizations vs discerning Carmelite vocations. Do they want to develop their spirituality in this order?
Holy flexibility – learn – unlearn – relearn…is the person teachable, obedient
Do they belong to community?
Self analyses – comfort vs change
Putting ourselves out there - OCDS
Pray for vocations
Summery
Discernment, obedience, adaptability