Fr. Javier Arteaga. We are in June, and the wind blows strongly during this month, but the Holy Spirit who inflames our hearts with the fire of his Love blows even more strongly. Three things “move” hearts during these days: we have celebrated the feast of Pentecost; last week was the beginning for the 2014 World Soccer Cup; and on the 18th, we had the Continental Collection to help with the transmission of the Jubilee from Schoenstatt and Rome.
Football (Soccer) World Cup 2014 in Brazil has started. Every four years, thousands of fans attend this mega-event that riles passions and captures the attention of thousands of people throughout the world. For one month, “the” topic at meetings and in all the media will be the Soccer World Cup. In an ad, a player beckoned: “Join the team, put on the jersey, and play passionately.”
This simple phrase also illustrates the extraordinary experience of Pentecost. As Church, we have celebrated Pentecost, the presence of the Spirit of God in us, which impels our lives and moves us to live in communion, renewal and mission.
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Spirit of communion in Christ: is “join the team” of Christ and walk with Him; is to meet others and dialogue with them, seeking what unites us and not what separates us; is communion of faith, love and projects to form community-Church-family of the Lord.
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Spirit of renewal: that invites you to “put on the jersey” of Christ, who heals you and gives you life. It is that profound inner renewal, which makes the renewal of personal attachments, family and social attachments possible. Spirit of renewal, which also frees us from wretched attitudes and corrupt structures in order to develop what is more noble and better in us.
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Spirit of mission: to give freely what we have received freely (Matt. 10:8); to be “Church on the way” which is not afraid to have an accident, as is asked of us by Pope Francis. Spirit of mission to “play passionately” the game of our life daily.
This experience of Pentecost in the Cenacle is what Mary continues to offer us today in the three graces from her Shrine. “(Mother) There you implored the Spirit for the Church who freed her from the scourge of half-heartedness, guided her to the teaching of Christ and enkindled in her the spirit of the apostles and the martyrs. That is how you want to work in our shrine: strengthening our weak eyes of faith so that we might see life as God sees it and always walk by heaven’s light.” (Father Kentenich, HEAVENWARDS, American Edition, p. 54)
The Schoenstatt families of the continent help with the expenses of transmitting the Jubilee
“Join the team, put on the jersey and play passionately” the game of the Jubilee Year. Daily we are closer to the 100th anniversary of the founding of Schoenstatt and of the first Covenant of Love. Each member of Schoenstatt, each local community and Schoenstatt Family is on the journey in this blessed Jubilee Year toward the great celebration of October 18th.
In Schoenstatt-Germany, the international team, with a group of youth volunteers (5 from Argentina) are working hard on logistics, programs, communication, welcome, installations, security, etc., for these days of grace.
All of us, in one way or another, want to be present and participate. Some will travel to Schoenstatt and Rome; many others will celebrate in our Daughter Shrines and Wayside Shrines. But in the crucial moments of the celebrations in Schoenstatt and Rome, we will all be able to be united throughout the world, live and direct, thanks to EWTN’s transmission. Thus we will be able to see and participate in the Jubilee events in Schoenstatt and Rome, aware that we are united and on fire by the same spirit and mission.
But the transmission of the Jubilee celebrations is very costly. For that reason, the Schoenstatt Families of our continent have made a commitment to help with these costs. With this in mind, the collection at the Covenant Masses (on June 18th) in all our Shrines and Schoenstatt Centers will be to help with the cost of the TV and Internet transmissions.
I also invite you to double our daily prayer for the Pilgrimage:
“With every step we take on our pilgrim way we ask you: Enkindle in us anew the fire of love for you, for our father and for our family.
Give us the strength to form a covenant culture in today’s world and educate us to be your true missionaries for this century.”
Dear brothers and sisters, we continue journeying firmly as allies of Christ and Mary toward the Great Jubilee of October 18th. “Join the team, put on the jersey and play passionately.” Yes, animated by the Spirit of God, let us play decidedly and passionately our daily game, tightening solid and healthy fraternal attachments, working for the good, the solidarity, justice and peace, building where we are the culture of encounter and of Covenant.
From the Shrine, receive a cordial greeting and blessing,
Fr. José Javier Arteaga
Original Spanish: Translation: Carlos Cantú, Schoenstatt Family Federation, La Feria, Texas USA 06232014
