Fresh Wineskins of Grace

 

Readings 090426 

As I get older, I’m learning something about myself.  

I like the old ways—old routines, old patterns, old comforts.  

Life tries to pour new wine 

into my old wineskin--

I resist.  

“But this is how we’ve always done it.”  

Change feels hard, and the familiar feels safe.

Jesus teaches

“new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins.”  

Grace cannot be squeezed 

into an unchanged heart.  

Our old habits, old fears, old identities—  

simply don’t match the new life 

Christ is shaping within us.

To be “servants of Christ”  

and “stewards of the mysteries of God”,  

we must let Him dress us 

in new garments of mercy,  

new patterns of trust, 

new ways of living.

The Lord will one day bring to light 

what is hidden in darkness  

and reveal the motives of our hearts.  

So loosen the grip on the old wineskin  

ask for the courage to be changed.  

The new wine of grace is ready—  

and Christ longs to pour it 

into a heart made fresh.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, 

Give me courage to release what no longer serves Your Kingdom.  

Clothe me in the new life You desire for me.  

Stretch my heart to hold the grace You pour out.  

Make me a trustworthy servant of Your mysteries.  

Let Your mercy shape me into something new.

Amen

Holy Fools and the Wisdom of God

 

Readings 090326

Today we celebrate St. Gregory the Great —  

pope, pastor, doctor of the Church,  

the shepherd who sent missionaries  

to carry the Gospel into England.  

A man of wide vision, deep wisdom,  

and a humble, steady soul.

And I’ll be honest…  

I’ll never have the wisdom  

of a doctor of the Church.  

I’ll never stand in that kind of brilliance.  

But there is hope for me.  

Because today’s readings  

pull my heart toward the "Holy Fools" —  

those strange saints  

who hide their wisdom,  

reject pride,  

and mock the world’s values  

so they can cling to Christ alone.  

They remind me  

that God’s reality is warmer,  

more beautiful,  

more life‑giving  

than any cold, mechanized world.

The prophets lived this way —  

Isaiah, Ezekiel, Hosea —  

startling the crowd  

so sleepy hearts could wake up.  

And Paul says,  

“We are fools for Christ’s sake,”

because the wisdom of this age  

cannot carry the weight of God.

I think of St. Francis,  

barefoot on the road,  

giving away everything,  

preaching to the simple and the poor —  

a holy fool  

who saw the world  

through heaven’s eyes.

Scripture tells us:  

“If anyone considers himself wise,  

let him become a fool  

so as to become wise.” 

Because God catches the proud  

in their own cleverness.

And Jesus says to Simon,  

“Do not be afraid…  

from now on you will be catching men.”  

That’s the holy fool’s calling —  

to step out of the boat,  

to trust grace more than reputation,  

to follow Christ  

even when the world laughs.

So today,  

in Gregory’s shadow  

and Francis’ footsteps,  

let your heart settle into this truth:  

The world’s wisdom fades.  

God’s wisdom saves.  

Become a fool for Christ —  

and you will become wise.

Prayer —  

Lord Jesus, 

keep my heart humble 

my vision wide.  

Teach me the holy foolishness 

that clings only to You.  

Break the pride 

that blinds me 

to Your grace.  

Make me wise in the ways 

only heaven understands.

Amen

St Gregory the great, pray for us