patch-work
"No one sews a patch of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak." —Mark 2:21
Our lives are sometimes pictured as a fabric. This fabric consists of family, marriage, children, friends, work, finances, social life, habits, entertainment, service, etc. When we give our lives to Jesus, He sews into our lives "a patch of unshrunken cloth" (Mk 2:21). As this patch shrinks, it stretches all the other parts of the fabric of our lives. Therefore, we need a new life-style in which we are willing to be stretched and transformed. Otherwise, life in Christ will tear us apart (see Mk 2:21).
When we give our lives to Jesus, He will make us fruitful. If married, we may have many children. No matter which vocation we have, we will have many spiritual children. This will radically alter our social life, give us little time to indulge our habits, distract us from our distractions, and stretch our finances. This one patch of life in Christ either tears up our lives or becomes our whole lives.
If we decide to be clothed with Christ (Gal 3:27; Rm 13:14; Eph 4:24; Col 3:10), we are then clothed with humility (1 Pt 5:5), power (Lk 24:49), mercy, kindness, meekness, and patience (Col 3:12). Let the patch of Jesus that covers one tear in your life become your entire life.
Prayer: Father, help me change clothes, that is, the very fabric of my life.
Promise: "Son though He was, He learned obedience from what He suffered; and when perfected, He became the Source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him." —Heb 5:8-9
Praise: For many years, Sister Agnes needed to wear braces on her legs and back. Jesus completely healed her as she was praying her daily rosary.
Reference: (For related teaching, order our leaflet, Accepting Jesus As Lord, Savior, and God.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert J. Buschmiller, June 11, 1998
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 20, 1998