My Lord and my God, I firmly believe that you are here, that you see me, that you hear me.

I adore you with profound reverence.

I ask your pardon for my sins, and the grace to make this time of prayer fruitful.

My Immaculate Mother, St. Joseph, my Father and Lord.

My guardian angel intercede for me.

Today's optional memorial Mass is irresistible.

We commemorate the spiritual showdown on Mount Carmel between the one remaining prophet faithful to God versus 450 false prophets.

The scene has much to teach us about firmness of convictions and the effective transmitting of our ideals.

Israel, led astray by King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, had fallen into idolatry,

worshipping Baal and abandoning the Lord.

Elijah the prophet confronted King Ahab and said,

Send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel.

And Elijah came near to all the people and said,

How long will you go limping with two different opinions?

If the Lord is God, follow Him.

But if Bal, then follow Him.

And the people did not answer him a word

then Elijah said to the people

I even I only am left a prophet of the Lord

but Ball's prophets are four hundred and fifty men

Elijah then challenged the four prophets of Bal to a public test. The true God would

answer by fire from heaven. Well, to refresh your memory of how the showdown turned out,

...