Daily Gospel Reflection for September 4, 2020

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Reflection by Brenda Kindelan

Today's Gospel: Luke 5:33-39

I am a seamstress. I get it when Jesus says not to rip a piece a fabric from a new cloak and sew it onto an old one. This is definitely a Home Economics 101 “fashion don’t”. Who wants a new cloak with a ripped-out hole in it? Or, who wants an old, faded, shrunken cloak with a new, colorful patch that will shrink and pucker the first time it is washed?

Yet even though I learned this in school, I ended up learning it a second time the hard way. After high school, I wanted to do my “own thing”. I walked away from my faith wearing my faded old blue jeans. A few years later I got married. Then, when I was 7 months pregnant, I delivered stillborn twins. I was devastated, but the prayers of my mother’s prayer group sustained me. The fire of their faith covered me with a new cloak, but I was not ready to get rid of my old jeans. And since I was neither hot nor cold, I patched the holes in my jeans with a lukewarm faith. I was not ready to run back to my faith with open arms.

Slowly the ups and the downs of life caused me to desire a deeper faith. My reliance on God grew through the trials of two more miscarriages and the joys of the births of my four daughters (including a set of twins!) I am happy to say I have finally thrown away those dated “holey” jeans and I am now wearing a new “holy” garment of faith – one that never goes out of style! And I even when I get it dirty, I can clean it up with a good confession.

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Do we realize that when our faith is lukewarm, we are actually “wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked”? (cf. Revelation 3:17) #dailygospel

Ponder:

Do we realize that when our faith is lukewarm, we are actually “wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked”? (cf. Revelation 3:17)

Pray:

Jesus, often we are blinded by our own wretchedness. Open our eyes to Your good news. Clothe us in the warmth of Your love.

Copyright 2020 Brenda Kindelan

Brenda Kindelan leads the Memphis Women's Morning of Spirituality, gives talks, writes reflections, goes to prison (ministry), hunts for bargains, and prays at her kitchen table with friends! She married Juan 47 years ago. They have 4 daughters and 6 grandchildren. Find out why she's one of Thérèse's little flowers at brendakindelan.com