When Elijah threw his cloak over Elisha, he called Elisha to be his disciple. Elisha then left his farm and family to become Elijah's disciple (1 Kgs 19:21).
The scapular represents Mary's cloak. When we put it on, we are agreeing to leave everything behind to become Mary's disciple. In doing this, we accept Mary as our principal guide in being and making disciples for Jesus (see Mt 28:19).
When we wear the scapular, we commit ourselves to deny our very selves, take up the cross daily, and follow Jesus (see Lk 9:23). We commit ourselves to live our lives with Mary at the foot of Jesus' cross (see Jn 19:25).
When we wear the scapular, we are not saying we are perfect but rather that we are repentant and willing to be holy in every aspect of our conduct (see 1 Pt 1:15).
If you don't have a scapular, go to your parish or Catholic bookstore and get one. If you are wearing a scapular, take it off and put it on the table in front of you. Pray to know what it means to wear the scapular. Then ask for the grace to follow Jesus immediately and totally. Decide to be Jesus' disciple with Mary's help. Then put on your scapular. Be a disciple of Christ. Make disciples for Christ. Live a new life in Christ.
| PRAYER: | Father, may the life I live no longer be my own but a life of faith in You (Gal 2:20). |
| PROMISE: | "Say, 'Yes' when you mean 'Yes' and 'No' when you mean 'No.' Anything beyond that is from the evil one." –Mt 5:37 |
| PRAISE: | When George puts on his scapular he thinks of donning vestments or a holy uniform, and all that it signifies. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College