Daily Scripture, January 20, 2025
Scripture:
Reflection:
“…new wine is for fresh skins…”
Why do your followers not…doesn’t that sound familiar? A typically human response – we want everyone to do as we do, to think as we think, we want life to follow along “same old, same old”. And when they don’t or life changes, we point fingers, we accuse, we villainize or ostracize – anything to not have to face the truth! But in truth, can life stay the same and never change? Would that even be healthy? What would life be like, really, if we all did everything alike and never challenged or thought outside the box? BORING!
Jesus’ response is a wake-up call – pay attention! When the bridegroom is with you – CELEBRATE. Jesus came to make things new, not just to ‘patch up’ or revert back – why would he, it never works – the cloth will just tear again – and the ‘rip’ will actually be bigger and more tattered. New wine needs new skins – new containers – it needs the elasticity and flexibility to contain the freshness and flavor of the new wine.
Are we open to preparing for something new? Are we open to the discovery; are we open to living into new skins? Are we willing to look within first, let God show us where we need to grow, what ‘outdated’ thoughts, biases, judgments, fears or hurts are causing us to typically say “Why do you not…” what can we do to change the way we walk with the other so that we can be open to the new, to live within the both/and rather than the right/wrong? Do we recognize the bridegroom in our midst and dare to celebrate rather than flagellate? Who is our Jesus? And what is he asking of us – individually and collectively?
Faith Offman is the Associate Director of Ministry at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center in Detroit, Michigan.
Epiphany of the Lord Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-6 Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 Matthew 2:1-12 Reflection: In my life as a Passionist, and perhaps even before I joined, I have been interested in » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 John 5:14-21 John 2:1-11 Reflection: Last Sunday coming home from Mass about 8:30 in the evening, I boarded an almost empty “L” (Chicago elevated rapid transit system) along » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 John 5:5-13 Mark 1:7-11 Reflection: John the Baptist introduced Jesus to the world. “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” I doubt » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 John 3:11-21 John 1:43-51 Reflection: Children, let us love not in word or speech but, in deed and truth. But Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 John 3:7-10 John 1:35-42 Reflection: The Christmas Event & St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Today’s Gospel selection features John the Baptist and two of his disciples meeting Jesus » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 John 2:29-3:6 John 1:29-34 Reflection: See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. 1 John 3:1 As I » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 John 2:22-28 John 1:19-28 Reflection: How wonderful to be at the threshold of a new year. As Christians, we treasure time because it was in a moment of » Continue Reading.
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God Scripture: Numbers 6:22-27 Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2:16-21 Reflection: This is a feast day with several identities: the octave of Christmas, World » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 John 2:18-21 John 1:1-18 Reflection: And the Word became flesh, and made his dwelling among us. John 1:14 Do you remember Christmas? I know… seems so very long » Continue Reading.
Feast of the Holy Family Scripture: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 or Colossians 3:12-21 Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 Reflection: I’d like you to imagine yourself in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve. You are a » Continue Reading.