Opening Prayer

Lord, grant that I may see you more clearly,
love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly,
day by day.

Scripture

Luke 5:33-39

Then they said to him, “John’s disciples, like the disciples of the Pharisees, frequently fast and pray, but your disciples eat and drink.” Jesus said to them, “You cannot make wedding attendants fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you? The days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.” He also told them a parable: “No one tears a piece from a new garment and sews it on an old garment; otherwise, not only will one tear the new garment, but the piece from the new will not match the old garment. Similarly, no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins and will spill out, and the skins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine desires new wine but says, ‘The old is good.’ ”

Reflection

This teaching about not putting new wine into old wineskins symbolises the need for a fresh and transformative approach to faith. His message emphasises the importance of internal spiritual renewal over mere external observance. This inspires us to embrace a dynamic and evolving relationship with God, open to new understandings and deeper spiritual growth, rather than clinging to outdated practices that no longer serve our spiritual journey.

Jesus compares His presence to that of a bridegroom at a wedding feast, a time of joy and celebration. His disciples do not fast because they are in the joyous presence of Christ. This teaches us that following Jesus brings profound joy and fulfilment. It encourages us to live our faith with a sense of joy and gratitude, celebrating the presence of Christ in our lives and sharing that joy with others through our actions and attitudes.

Contemplation

I take a few moments to imagine the scene from the Gospel story I just read. I let the words come alive in my heart. I visualise the event as if I was there and part of the story. I pay attention to all the details, the sights, the sounds, the tastes, the smells, and the feelings of the event. I imagine myself as one of the characters in the scene or as myself present in the story. What message does Jesus have for me? How is God speaking to me personally through this story? I open my heart to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Thanksgiving

I ask God, the Father, to give me an intimate knowledge of the many gifts I have received,
so that filled with gratitude for all, I may in all things love and serve the Divine Majesty

Fellow Pilgrims

Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.

– C.S. Lewis

Closing Prayer

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Amen.