26 th February, 2006

Eight Sunday - Year B

(Day of Prayer for Temperance)

S: Good morning - With our busy world of today we can sometimes neglect to renew ourselves and look at things afresh. So this morning we are being asked not to be afraid of areas where new life seems to be emerging.

B: Our word of Life for today comes from Mark’s Gospel, “New wine, fresh skins!” Today we’d probably say new wine fresh bottles - but that wouldn’t even explain what Jesus is on about. What he means is nobody puts new wine into old wineskins because they would be too tough and inflexible and would burst - wasting wine and skins, No, new wine, like people, must be allowed to expand.

S: God, Brenda you seem to know a lot about wine...

B: ... well I do know what it tastes like, anyway the point is while the message stays the same we need to explore new ways of telling it.

S: You know if Jesus were walking around the sea of Galilee today I think he’d be getting great offers from the advertising world for his catch phrases. I mean they are just brilliant aren’t they, for instance the one for today: New wine, fresh skins.

And what’s it all about, well I think Jesus is asking us not to become settled in our ways. This can be very difficult, perhaps we like it where we are, you know – don’t rock the boat, I’m fine thank you. And maybe if some people do rock the boat, we look at them and say, “ Would you look at that lot and the carry on of them, they’re a bit over the top aren’t they” and Jesus says to us “would you get a life”.

B: Too often religion can offer a refuge for those who are afraid, those who do not want to change. You see this in the growth of fundamentalism. Maybe sometimes people can come to church to seek those kind of certainties of the past – but the churches are not meant to be like that but rather places of vibrant faith, not afraid to read the signs of the times and change with them.

S: This morning’s reflection is about change and new beginnings

There’s a brand new day before me, and a chance to start anew,

And many bright hours waiting, with much for me to do.

There’s a blue sky up above me, and sunlight through the trees,

Nobody should grow weary, with gifts as great as these.

There’s a brand new day before me, and I treasure every minute,

My eager arms reach out to hold each quiet joy within it.

I feel my steps grow lighter, and all my worries fade,

As once again God lets me share this new day He has made.

B: You’ve been listening to “Just a thought” with Brenda Cribbin...

S: and Seamus Madigan. We can be contacted through the Limerick Diocesan Offices at 66 O’ Connell Street or by e-mailing smadigan@limerickdiocese.org. If you would like your own copy of this reflection you can download it by clicking on limerickdiocese.org

B: We look forward to your company again next week, so take care…..

S& B: Byee……….

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