Daily Scripture, July 5, 2025
Scripture:
Genesis 27:1-5, 15-29
Matthew 9:14-17
Reflection:
May God give to you of the dew of the heavens and of the fertility of the earth abundance of grain and wine. -Genesis 27:28
People do not put new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. -Matthew 9:17
Albert Einstein once said, “The problems of today can only be solved at a higher level of thinking than that which created them.” A similar quote from David Goldstein runs, “You can’t solve tomorrow’s challenges with yesterday’s thinking.” Both of these quotations echo Jesus‘s words about new wine in old wine skins. Although somewhat obscure to us today, the apostles would’ve understood what he meant. Old wine skins would have been stretched out and ready to tear if put under any pressure. New wine was still fermenting, growing, under transformation from grape juice to wine. In the same way that Albert Einstein and David Goldstein said that are thinking must be transformed if we are to move forward, Jesus is telling us that we ourselves must be transformed to hold his new teaching.
But this is not a one-time event. As it is written in the book of Revelation, “Behold, I make all things new,” every day is a new day. Every day, Jesus comes to us, ready to pour His Spirit of new wine into us. We must allow ourselves to be transformed into new wine skins for this new teaching. This can sometimes be uncomfortable. However, as Christians, we are called to continuously participate in this creative process of transformation, giving up our old ways of thinking and allowing ourselves to be born again.
My prayer today is that we all give ourselves over to this process of transformation and allow ourselves to be Jesus’s hands in the building up of God‘s kingdom here on earth.
Talib Huff is a retired teacher and a member of the retreat team at Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center in Citrus Heights, California. You may contact him at [email protected].
Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12Luke 10:1-12 Reflection: Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks, and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared; for today is holy to our » Continue Reading.
Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-8Luke 9:57-62 Reflection: Bold Discipleship Today’s Gospel recounts Jesus inviting people to share his mission of proclaiming the Kingdom of God. Some » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Zechariah 8:20-23Luke 9:51-56 Reflection: The gospel today highlights the deep commitment of Jesus to the will of the Father- symbolised in the journey itself. By this I mean, that » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Zechariah 8:1-8Matthew 18:1-5, 10 Reflection: See that you do not despise one of these little ones,for I say to you that their angels in heavenalways look upon the face » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Ezra 18:25-28Philippians 2:1-11Matthew 21:28-32 Reflection: Anyone who has raised, taught or just been around children can relate to today’s readings. How often have we heard children cry, “It’s just » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Zechariah 2:5-9, 14-15aLuke 9:43b-45 Reflection: ‘Pay Attention’ Jesus tells his disciples and us! I used to teach RCIA sessions at Saint Agnes. Each week the inquirers, team and sponsors » Continue Reading.
Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels Scripture: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14John 1:47-51 Reflection: Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him, and myriads upon myriads attended him. -Daniel 7:10 » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Haggai 1:1-8Luke 9:7-9 Reflection: Cost of Discipleship! Jesus said to his disciples in relation to discipleship: “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.” “If » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Ezra 9:5-9Luke 9:1-6 Reflection: Our readings today give us a great summary of discipleship and what it means to be church. In our first reading Ezra is overcome with » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Ezra 6:7-8, 12b, 14—20Luke 8:19-21 Reflection: My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it. Luke 8:21 Jesus praises his mother for » Continue Reading.