He told them this parable: “No one tears a piece out of
a new garment to patch an old one. Otherwise, they will have torn the new
garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. And
no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst
the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No,
new wine must be poured into new wineskins. Luke 5:36-38
As we wrap up and wind down the first full week in February,
Jesus offers a truth that you cannot put new wine in old wine skins. We know that life has changed and is changing
since February 2020. At this time, one
year ago, we were hearing about COVID, but had not fully felt the weight yet –
although there was concern hovering in the air.
At this time, one year ago, we had not witnessed the murder of George Floyd. We had resisted the collective, communal
lament that is needed in the face of discrimination in all its heartbreaking,
soul aching forms. At this time, one
year ago, we did not think an angry group would break into the Capital in order
to stop our elected leaders from certifying the election.
If we knew then what we know now.
Then, again, if we did, perhaps we would not have had the
courage to live moment-by-moment; step-by-step.
We cannot fully know the future, it unfolds as we encounter the present
moment. I believe when we prayerfully
live in the present, with openness, we are able to find the traces of grace we
need for the next right step.
Today, I invite you to take a long view of life and ponder
prayerfully:
1. One learning from this last year. Where are you tasting and sipping new wine?
2. How is that new learning fitting into your life – does it feel like you are putting new wine into old wineskins?
Let the questions above sing to you, soak into you, and let
your life respond and react to these questions today. Lean into Luke and sense the way Luke’s
wisdom is seeking to be lived out in you.
And may God’s grace, peace, and love be with you
now more than ever. Amen.
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