Estimado Padre Javier: valoro y respeto mucho su labor y el contenido formativo que comparte habitualmente. Sin embargo, me extraña y me apena ver que se tome una frase aislada de un gran santo como San Josemaría Escrivá simplemente para remarcar errores fuera de contexto.¿Qué finalidad constructiva tiene marcar esto así? Llama la atención que en su cuenta no haya una sola publicación que destaque lo bueno de la Obra o de su fundador, lo que hace pensar que se trata de algo personal más que de un aporte formativo. Imagínese si alguien lo juzgara a usted solamente por que se tuvo que ir de la diócesis que estaba en argentina? A San Josemaria la Iglesia lo ha canonizado reconociendo su vida de santidad. Descontextualizar de esta manera no edifica y daña la unidad entre los fieles. Le mando un saludo cordial y mis oraciones por su ministerio.
The Church is wise. She does not give us devotions merely to stir our emotions; she gives them to lead us to holiness. That is why, today, on the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, we do well to ask ourselves a simple question: Why did Our Lady give the Brown Scapular to the Church? Was it simply to wear another religious object? Or was she asking something much deeper of us?
The answer takes us back to the thirteenth century. The Carmelite Order was passing through a terrible crisis. Driven from the Holy Land, surrounded by uncertainty, it seemed that its days were numbered. Its Prior General, St. Simon Stock, did not place his confidence in princes or in clever plans. He turned to the Mother of God. According to the ancient tradition of Carmel, Our Lady appeared to him on this very day, holding the Brown Scapular and promising: "Whoever dies clothed in this Scapular shall not suffer eternal fire."
Those words have comforted Catholics for centuries, but they must be understood correctly. The Blessed Virgin was not handing out a magical object, nor was she offering salvation without conversion. God asks for our cooperation. He gives grace freely, but He also asks us to respond freely. Every gift from Heaven carries with it a responsibility.
The Scapular is, therefore, a sacramental. It is a sign that says, without words, "I belong to Mary, and through Mary I belong to Christ." Think of a religious wearing his habit. The habit does not make him holy, but it reminds him every day of the life he has promised to live. The Brown Scapular is like a small habit placed on the shoulders of the faithful. It reminds us that we should think, speak, and live as children of the Blessed Virgin.
That is why the Church has always taught that wearing the Scapular must be joined to a Christian life. Tradition also speaks of the Sabbatine Privilege, encouraging us to trust in Mary's maternal intercession for those who faithfully wear the Scapular, live chastely according to their state in life, and persevere in prayer. Notice the pattern: faithfulness, prayer, and perseverance. Our Lady never encourages laziness; she always leads us to a deeper love for her Son.
Many of us received the Scapular years ago. Perhaps it was placed around our neck as children. Perhaps we have worn it for decades without giving it much thought. Today is a good day to ask ourselves whether we are wearing only a piece of cloth, or whether we are truly living beneath Mary's mantle. The Scapular should not simply rest on our shoulders; it should shape our hearts.
The Church also reminds us today of the gift of a plenary indulgence, under the usual conditions of Confession, Holy Communion, prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father, and freedom from attachment to sin. What a beautiful reminder that the Church is truly our Mother. She not only teaches us the way to Heaven but also opens for us the treasury of Christ's mercy.
My dear friends, the older we become, the more clearly we see that everything in this world passes away. Health passes. Strength passes. Possessions pass. Only one thing remains: whether we die united to Christ. That is why the Brown Scapular is such a precious gift. Every time we touch it, it reminds us to lift our eyes from this passing world and to remember our eternal homeland.
Let us ask Our Lady of Mount Carmel today for one simple grace: that we may never wear her Scapular carelessly, but always as faithful disciples of her Son. And when the day comes for us to leave this world, may she be at our side, leading us with confidence into the presence of Jesus Christ, to whom be all honor and glory forever.
Amen.
Fr. Javier Olivera Ravasi, SE
Hay una atmósfera Anti Selección que me llama muchísimo la atención.
A pesar de los títulos tan deseados, la gente parece no perdonar la destrucción del fútbol local y todo el manoseo que eso conlleva.
Comparto y celebro.
Mínimo 4.500.000 viviendo solo
700k alquiler
200k expensas
400k comida
140k prepaga
250k servicios
2.8M para timbear tranquilo en la premier todos los fines de semana
Sin visitantes, derecho de admisión por cargar al rival, previas de boliches, van en plan de cine o teatro, el aliento es mínimo, la ropa de los clubes sin los colores de los clubes, jugadores sin sentido de pertenencia, respetan mas a la de only fans que al hincha que paga y viaja para verlos. periodistas ensobrados esclavos, representantes socios de dirigentes, partidos aburridos. Fútbol desde hace casi 20 años en terapia intensiva.