Dear Friend, 

Reflection by Michael Burt

As the Creator Designed

In a moment of weakness, while looking at this image and contemplating a message, my mind traveled back to a memory of my living room couch, looking at someone else’s vacation slides. My dad-joke voice quipped, “here are some trees.”  After chuckling, I embrace the silence and find myself absorbed in the peacefulness of this scenery. The spirit guides me to imagine this place as land remaining precisely as the Creator had designed it.

These picturesque slopes are viewed from the rooftop of Muhraka chapel and monastery. The lush foliage of Israel obscures any evidence of human interference as far as eyes can see. Egyptian records, estimated as from the 16th century BC, described this site as the “holy mountain,” its name, Mount Carmel, is taken from Hebrew, Kerem el, which translates to “vineyard of God.”

Our pilgrims, who prepare to toil in the vineyard, paused inside the Muhraka Chapel. They reflected on the Old Testament (1 Kings) account of Elijah and Ahab, where Elijah boldly affirms the power of trust in God.

Elijah delivers a call of conversion to Ahab and his army, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.” (1 Kings 17:1) But, they dismiss God’s word and continue to worship false gods. As a result, Mount Carmel withers and becomes a barren wasteland.

After three years, God calls upon Elijah to confront Ahab and his army on Mount Carmel. Elijah proposes a contest to Ahab; each of them would offer a sacrifice of a bull without fire. The true god, whether Baal or God, would provide fire to complete the sacrifice.  “If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” (1 Kings 18:21).  

Contesting Elijah, the prophets of Baal, with backing from King Ahab, built an altar to sacrifice a bull. But, despite several hours of dance and prayer, nothing happened.

Elijah likewise constructed an altar, placed wood and a bull on the altar, and proceeded to pour water over the offering. Elijah invoked the name of the Lord in prayer, and fire descended from heaven, devouring the sacrifice and the altar and drying the water. (1 Kings 18) When all the people saw this, they fell facedown and said, "The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!" (1 Kings 18:39).

Following this confrontation, a tremendous rainstorm ended the prolonged drought.

Do you have the courage to defend God’s ways versus the ways of the world today?

Accept the challenge Lent presents to separate yourself from outside interference and return to be exactly as the Creator designed through reconciliation.  

As with Mount Carmel, His mercy and love will bring vitality, a renewal of life, and beauty to your heart.

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Michael Burt is the Senior Director of Seminary Advancement for Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology.