The Blue Scapular Prayer Book

Speaking on the subject, we should recall the words of the prophet Isaiah first: “I rejoice heartily in the Lord, in my God is the joy of my soul; for He has clothed me with a robe of salvation, and wrapped me in a mantle of justice, like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, like a bride bedecked with her jewels” (61:10). This passage clearly shows that a true vestment and adornment of the people of God is the divine life, taking place within them. On the other hand, all instances of our unfaithfulness, defined in theology as sin, strip those vestments off of us, leaving us naked. This state of nakedness, symbolically expressing the distance that we put between ourselves and God, was noted by the prophet Ezekiel in regards to the Chosen People: “So I spread the corner of my cloak over you to cover your nakedness” (16:8). Sin has demeaned our human dignity and marred our image before God. Thus, we see the consequence of our disobedience to God. In this light, words from the Book of Baruch take on a special meaning: “Wrapped in the cloak of justice from God, bear on your head the mitre that displays the glory of the eternal name. For God will show all the earth your splendor” (5:2-3). This excerpt shows God as the source of true worth, as we glorify His name and He clothes us 38