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 Are we willing to look within first, let God show us where we need to grow, what ‘outdated’ thoughts, biases, judgments, fears or hurts are causing us to typically say “Why do you not…” what can we do to change the way we walk with the other so that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.
Scripture: 1 John 2:3–11 Luke 2:22-35 Reflection: … for the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. 1 John 2:8 Today is the fifth day in » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 John 1:5-2:2 Matthew 2:13-18 Reflection: Beloved: This is the message that we have heard from Jesus Christ and proclaim to you: God is light, and in God there » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59 Matthew 10:17-22 Reflection: With the earlier and earlier onset of Christmas, we easily grow weary of carols on the radio and decorations at home and work. » Continue Reading.
Christmas Eve Scripture: Isaiah 62:1-5 Acts 13:16-17, 22-25 Matthew 1:1-25 or 1:18-25 Reflection: Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24 Luke 1:57-66 Reflection: In today’s Gospel reading, we see the remarkable circumstances around the birth of John the Baptist. The relatives do not understand why the » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:24-28 Luke 1:46-56 Reflection: Remember back to when we were children and excitedly played “Mother May I”? Each person was told he / she could take a » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Song of Songs 2:8-14 Luke 1:39-45 Reflection: “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” (Muhammed Ali) articulates the secret of his success: a rapid style that belies its » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Isaiah 7: 10-14 Luke 1: 26-38 Reflection: Would you be willing to tempt the Lord? In our reading from Isaiah today it is clear that Ahaz, the king of » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Genesis 49:2, 8-10 Matthew 1:1-17 Reflection: In eight days Christians will again celebrate the miracle that forever changed the world. When God became one of us in Jesus, being » Continue Reading.
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Scripture: Zechariah 2:14-17 Luke 1:26-38 Reflection: On this feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of North America, we have an opportunity to » Continue Reading.