Daily Retreat 01/15/07
2007 Jan 15 Mon
Heb 5: 1-10/ Ps 109(110): 1. 2. 3. 4/ Mk 2: 18-22
From today’s readings: “ Son though He was, He learned obedience from what He suffered; and when He was made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him.... You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.... New wine is poured into fresh wineskins.”
New and Old News
There’s something very human about constantly looking for something new: a new book, or new computer, or new car, a new outfit, or a new song. In fact, there’s a whole industry to help us digest daily all the “news.” Many of you reading these daily reflections are looking for new insights into God’s word.
When Jesus came to earth, He brought a lot of news - the whole New Testament in fact, and so His parable about putting new fine in fresh wineskins clearly applied to His own innovative teachings and examples.
In our day, however, Jesus and His Gospel are dismissed as old: old fashioned, old hat, old school, and paradoxically, old news! Granted - Christianity has been around for 2000 years, so can anything about it be considered new? Well, as G.K. Chesterton quipped, "Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried."
For, in reality, the freshness of Christianity is renewed whenever and wherever the faith is taken seriously, as is seen in the lives of all the saints. Just consider, for example, the witness of Mother Teresa of Calcutta - her actions and humble words, in the midst of dire poverty, were universally recognized as something beautiful for God. What was her secret? Simply taking the Gospel to heart!
For the One who said, “Behold, I make all things new” (Rev. 21:5) is still at His work of soul-shaping renovation in modern times, most particularly when He is welcomed with joy as the soul’s Bridegroom, sharing all aspects of our entire lives!
Heb 5: 1-10/ Ps 109(110): 1. 2. 3. 4/ Mk 2: 18-22
From today’s readings: “ Son though He was, He learned obedience from what He suffered; and when He was made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him.... You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.... New wine is poured into fresh wineskins.”
New and Old News
There’s something very human about constantly looking for something new: a new book, or new computer, or new car, a new outfit, or a new song. In fact, there’s a whole industry to help us digest daily all the “news.” Many of you reading these daily reflections are looking for new insights into God’s word.
When Jesus came to earth, He brought a lot of news - the whole New Testament in fact, and so His parable about putting new fine in fresh wineskins clearly applied to His own innovative teachings and examples.
In our day, however, Jesus and His Gospel are dismissed as old: old fashioned, old hat, old school, and paradoxically, old news! Granted - Christianity has been around for 2000 years, so can anything about it be considered new? Well, as G.K. Chesterton quipped, "Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried."
For, in reality, the freshness of Christianity is renewed whenever and wherever the faith is taken seriously, as is seen in the lives of all the saints. Just consider, for example, the witness of Mother Teresa of Calcutta - her actions and humble words, in the midst of dire poverty, were universally recognized as something beautiful for God. What was her secret? Simply taking the Gospel to heart!
For the One who said, “Behold, I make all things new” (Rev. 21:5) is still at His work of soul-shaping renovation in modern times, most particularly when He is welcomed with joy as the soul’s Bridegroom, sharing all aspects of our entire lives!
posted by FrPitstick | 1/14/2007
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