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A robe with holes
Holes are part of life, but with them, they weave a different story, which is only understood when one adopts another perspective.




Author: P. Fernando Pascual, L.C | Source: Catholic.net



In his novel "The Seamless Tunic", Maurice Baring (1874-1945) tells an imaginary life, confusing, mysterious, like that of so many real human beings.

The protagonist, Christopher Trevenen, dreamed as a child to be An Explorer. One occasion he accompanies his sister Mabel for a walk. They Bathe, even though she has health problems.

When they returned where they lived, a heavy storm leaves them drenched. The girl contracted strong pneumonia. Christopher prays for her. Before long, Mabel dies. Christopher, still a child, feels guilty. His Whole life he'll think he killed his sister.

The rest of the novel narrates Christopher's decisions and changes over the years. The plot interweaves with news or stories about the seamless tunic that would have enveloped the body of Christ, on which one speaks at key moments of Christopher's existence.

"The Seamless Tunic", published in 1929, can be interpreted in many ways. One of them appears several times in the same story when Baring (converted to Catholicism in 1909) puts in Christopher's mouth, deep reflections.



In thinking about his history and his many misguided failures and decisions, Christopher recognizes that every life is like a seamless robe; But his own life, with all his avatars, "is so full of holes, tears, seams, patches, and pieces, that more looks like a Guiñapo" (chap. 30).

Whoever hears Christopher's words, Madame D'Alberg, makes him see that he is interpreting everything backward. Holes are part of life, but with them, a different story is woven, which is only understood when one adopts another perspective. 

Because, when you look at the robe of your life backward, you begin to discover how providence has been weaving so many details, has offered a thousand possibilities of good and beauty.

At another time in the novel, Madame D'Alberg says: "My husband used to say that every man, the most insignificant and even the vilest, is assigned his mission by Providence (...). We cannot see the pattern of our life, but it is certainly well-patented in the eyes of the tapestry, (...) Not being us but small grids of the canvas of the Tapestry Giants "(chap. 27).

Baring's novel teaches something that we often fail to see. Each one's robe, with its holes, its "mistakes", its abrupt changes, or its "transcendences" moments, is in The hands of God The Father, who can do wonders with whom he trusts his provident Love.

The existence of the protagonist of "The seamless tunic" seems a complete failure, until the final moments of his life in which the mysterious tunic reappears again. 

In this dramatic situation, Christopher Trevenen receives, as a wonderful and healing gift, the most beautiful arrangement of his robe and full of holes: the arrival of a priest who offers him, with the sacrament of Penance, the mercy that cures and It allows to receive definitive salvation...








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