Tuesday – 15th Week of Ordinary Time B – Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Optional Memorial)
As we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, we are reminded of the beautiful story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, as recounted in 1 Kings 18:20-40. This mountain, located on the northern coast of Israel, was a place of great significance in the Old Testament. It was here that Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest to see whose God was the true God. The prophets of Baal called upon their god all day long, but there was no response. Elijah, on the other hand, prayed to the God of Israel, and fire came down from heaven, consuming the sacrifice.