The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/090718.cfm)
reminds me that I should
let go of the old to receive something new.
We
can only experience the new if we give up the old.
In the
gospel, Jesus tells us that new wine should be put in new wineskins. New wine
should not be put in old wineskins, because both will be ruined. New for new,
old for old. In the same way, we cannot enjoy the new life, and blessings
and great things God has for us if we hang on to old things – old habits, old
sins, old way of living against his will. We need to give up and let
go of the old, bad things in life to enjoy the new ones.
God sees everything, even what is hidden to others. God
knows what is in our hearts. The first reading tells us that he will bring to
light what is hidden in darkness and will manifest the motives of the heart. We
may be able to hide it from other people, the bad habits and intentions, but
God sees them. And eventually he will reveal it. However, as God is love, he
gives us opportunities to repent and change our ways.
Letting
go is not easy. In as much as wine gets better with age, old things are hard to
give up. Status quo. Same routine. Same sins. Same lifestyle. We have become
accustomed to the old things, to the comfortable things, that we do not always
readily give them up. However, unless we learn to give them up and accept
changes, unless we become willing to let go of the old, comfortable things in
life, we cannot enjoy the greater things, the new things, God wants to give us.
What
old things, old habits and old thinking am I still holding on to? What should I
give up and change? Do I realize that I cannot fully enjoy God’s opportunities
and new life if I hold on to old and comfortable things? What concrete way can
I do to start the process?
God
will not force us to change, to let go of our old selves to make way for the
new. However, unless we do it ourselves, he cannot give us what he wants
to. May we be inspired, challenged, and move to change and let go of the
old and welcome God's new for us.
Father
God,
Thank you
for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another chance to
love and serve you. thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I get
too comfortable in life. Sorry for the times I am not willing to give up the
old things in favor of new things from you. Sorry for being hard headed. Lord,
help me. I want to open up and surrender. I want to let go – of my sins, of my
bad habits, of other things in life that are not of you. as I let go of these
things, I ask that you send me with new things, new blessings. Fill me up with
things that are of you. I will make space for you in my life and my heart. Use
it whatever way you want. Amen.
Blessed Day!
In Christ,
-g-
September 7, 2018
Friday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 435
Lectionary: 435
Reading
1 1 COR 4:1-5
Brothers
and sisters:
Thus should one regard us: as servants of Christ
and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Now it is of course required of stewards
that they be found trustworthy.
It does not concern me in the least
that I be judged by you or any human tribunal;
I do not even pass judgment on myself;
I am not conscious of anything against me,
but I do not thereby stand acquitted;
the one who judges me is the Lord.
Therefore, do not make any judgment before the appointed time,
until the Lord comes,
for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness
and will manifest the motives of our hearts,
and then everyone will receive praise from God.
Thus should one regard us: as servants of Christ
and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Now it is of course required of stewards
that they be found trustworthy.
It does not concern me in the least
that I be judged by you or any human tribunal;
I do not even pass judgment on myself;
I am not conscious of anything against me,
but I do not thereby stand acquitted;
the one who judges me is the Lord.
Therefore, do not make any judgment before the appointed time,
until the Lord comes,
for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness
and will manifest the motives of our hearts,
and then everyone will receive praise from God.
R.
(39a) The salvation of the just comes
from the Lord.
Trust in the LORD and do good,
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will grant you your heart's requests.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Commit to the LORD your way;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make justice dawn for you like the light;
bright as the noonday shall be your vindication.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Turn from evil and do good,
that you may abide forever;
For the LORD loves what is right,
and forsakes not his faithful ones.
Criminals are destroyed
and the posterity of the wicked is cut off.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
The salvation of the just is from the LORD;
he is their refuge in time of distress.
And the LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Trust in the LORD and do good,
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will grant you your heart's requests.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Commit to the LORD your way;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make justice dawn for you like the light;
bright as the noonday shall be your vindication.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Turn from evil and do good,
that you may abide forever;
For the LORD loves what is right,
and forsakes not his faithful ones.
Criminals are destroyed
and the posterity of the wicked is cut off.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
The salvation of the just is from the LORD;
he is their refuge in time of distress.
And the LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Alleluia JN 8:12
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel LK 5:33-39
The
scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus,
"The disciples of John the Baptist fast often and offer prayers,
and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same;
but yours eat and drink."
Jesus answered them, "Can you make the wedding guests fast
while the bridegroom is with them?
But the days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them,
then they will fast in those days."
And he also told them a parable.
"No one tears a piece from a new cloak to patch an old one.
Otherwise, he will tear the new
and the piece from it will not match the old cloak.
Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins.
Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins,
and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined.
Rather, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins.
And no one who has been drinking old wine desires new,
for he says, 'The old is good.'"
"The disciples of John the Baptist fast often and offer prayers,
and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same;
but yours eat and drink."
Jesus answered them, "Can you make the wedding guests fast
while the bridegroom is with them?
But the days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them,
then they will fast in those days."
And he also told them a parable.
"No one tears a piece from a new cloak to patch an old one.
Otherwise, he will tear the new
and the piece from it will not match the old cloak.
Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins.
Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins,
and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined.
Rather, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins.
And no one who has been drinking old wine desires new,
for he says, 'The old is good.'"
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