All things made new in Christ
Prayer
Contemporary Lectionary Prayers
Cycle B
Gospel Note:
The issue in this pericope is clearly fasting, but the real
subject is novelty, as seen in the two attitudes reflected here:
(1) that of Jesus himself, that his presence and ministry have
created a new relationship that abrogates the need for Jewish
ritual fasting; and (2) that of the early church, that Christ's
absence necessitates fasting again, but for a new and different
reason. The subsequent references to patches and cloth, wineskins
and wine underscore the theme of newness.
Liturgical Color:
Green
Suggested Hymns:
Salvation Unto Us Has Come
As With Gladness Men Of Old
When In The Hour Of Deepest Need
Son Of God, Eternal Savior
O God Of Love, O King Of Peace
Praise To The Lord, The Almighty
Epiphany 8
Sometimes the word "new" excites us and we are
eager with anticipation.
At other times something "new" becomes a threat
to our sense of security and well-being.
For when we speak of something "new" that will
change our lives ...
new worship,
new ways of serving, or
new approaches to routine tasks ...
we become unsettled and nervous.
We know that new wine cannot be placed into old
wineskins and that unshrunk cloth cannot be sewn
onto old garments.
This does not work.
Jesus calls us to faith. This faith enables us to
formulate "new" responses to old patterns of living.
This faith can be applied to lives
which are constantly changing.
This does work!
This faith makes all things "new."
Amen.
The issue in this pericope is clearly fasting, but the real
subject is novelty, as seen in the two attitudes reflected here:
(1) that of Jesus himself, that his presence and ministry have
created a new relationship that abrogates the need for Jewish
ritual fasting; and (2) that of the early church, that Christ's
absence necessitates fasting again, but for a new and different
reason. The subsequent references to patches and cloth, wineskins
and wine underscore the theme of newness.
Liturgical Color:
Green
Suggested Hymns:
Salvation Unto Us Has Come
As With Gladness Men Of Old
When In The Hour Of Deepest Need
Son Of God, Eternal Savior
O God Of Love, O King Of Peace
Praise To The Lord, The Almighty
Epiphany 8
Sometimes the word "new" excites us and we are
eager with anticipation.
At other times something "new" becomes a threat
to our sense of security and well-being.
For when we speak of something "new" that will
change our lives ...
new worship,
new ways of serving, or
new approaches to routine tasks ...
we become unsettled and nervous.
We know that new wine cannot be placed into old
wineskins and that unshrunk cloth cannot be sewn
onto old garments.
This does not work.
Jesus calls us to faith. This faith enables us to
formulate "new" responses to old patterns of living.
This faith can be applied to lives
which are constantly changing.
This does work!
This faith makes all things "new."
Amen.
