Fountain Pens & Fahrenheit

January 24, 2022

Scripture

He told them this parable: ‘No-one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one. Otherwise, they will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. And no-one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined.  No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. And no-one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say, “The old is better.”’ (Luke 5:36-39 NLT)

Fountain Pens & Fahrenheit

The warm Moncton-based voice said hesitantly, “If you have multiple devices, screens and phones and are working from home….” I laughed and listed our many technology addictions and she suggested that the higher speed modem would be recommended - and at no extra cost as we renegotiated our cable/internet account last week.

So, I’m not a complete Luddite but when I wanted to know how cold it felt that morning, I needed to see -4 degrees Fahrenheit on the outside thermometer. That allowed me to sit by the fire with my journal and fountain pen and do some prayer and reflection in an old and comfortable way. Some old ways are still better for this geezer.

Jesus was frequently criticized because his spiritual practices broke established religious rules developed over generations. His life and teaching pointed his listeners to the ancient eternal ways of the Creator whom their rules inadequately represented. His open-handed approach of love, justice and mercy was older than the rules and could only be created by him – the good, old wine.

The fear of trusting him, the old wine, kept many from seeing and doing good in his day and it may be doing the same for some of us. Drinking deeply of the wine Jesus is for us can open our eyes, hearts, and hands to do the good he desires.

A Prayer from an Old Retreat Communion

Jesus said, “I’ll not be drinking wine from this cup again until that new day when I’ll drink with you in the kingdom of my Father.”  We look forward to the day when Christ will return and establish his kingdom, which will never end. He also took a cup, thanked God for it, and gave it to all of them.  He said, “All of you, drink this, this is my blood, God’s new covenant poured out for many people for the forgiveness of sins.”

This wine is the blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ, which was shed for us.  We stand together and offer a toast to Jesus remembering his death.  We toast our future as He enables us to do good for the glory of God.   To King Jesus!