Friday after ash wednesday

​Date: Friday, Feb 16       
Contributor: Joel and Leslie Norton
Readings: https://www.lectionarypage.net/WeekdaysOfLent/FriAfterAshWed.html
 
In Matthew 9:10-17, the theme of transformative change is vividly portrayed, making it a fitting focus for a Lenten reflection. The passage begins with Jesus dining with tax collectors and sinners, an act that defies societal norms and religious expectations of the time. For Episcopalians, this scene is a powerful call to embrace change in our approach to community and fellowship. During Lent, a season marked by self-examination and repentance, we are invited to reflect on our own practices of inclusion. Are there individuals or groups we have excluded, perhaps even unintentionally, from our circle? Jesus' example challenges us to broaden our perspective, to rethink who we welcome at our table.  This Lenten reflection offers an opportunity to reconsider our own attitudes and actions, striving to mirror the unconditional acceptance and love that Jesus demonstrates.  
 
The second part of the passage, where Jesus discusses the need for new wineskins to hold new wine, further emphasizes the necessity of change. This metaphor is particularly resonant during Lent as it speaks to the readiness to undergo personal and spiritual transformation. Where is God calling us to change? As Episcopalians, this is an invitation to examine the 'old wineskins' of our lives—outdated beliefs, practices, or prejudices that no longer serve us or align with our spiritual growth. Lent provides a sacred space for this introspection, urging us to shed these old skins in favor of new, more flexible ones that can accommodate the growth and change God is nurturing within us. 
 
As we journey through Lent, let us embrace this call to transformation, preparing our hearts and minds for the newness that comes with resurrection and the promise of Easter.