Daily Prayers

Prayer is Love, I want to Love

The Superiority Of The New – Old Cloth

Extract

Sketch of patched garment

When John the Baptist’s disciples asked Jesus why they and the Pharisees fasted often but His disciples didn’t, he replied, “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, because the patch will pull away from the garment and the tear will be worse”. (Matthew 9:16)

Thought

New (unshrunk) cloth is much stronger than old so, if new cloth is used to patch an old garment, as it is stretched and pulled, it’s likely to quickly tear at the point of stitching.

Jesus was being prudent and cautious with his new group of disciples, waiting until they understood his teachings and were transformed, before expecting them to fast.

Reflection

God our Father, grant me the wisdom to put others who are wiser and stronger than myself at the helm, and guide me in humble support as a pillar of love to all.

Prayer: Before A Crucifix

Behold, O Kind and Most Sweet Jesus,
I fall upon my knees in Thy sight,
and with the most fervent desire of my soul,
I pray and beseech Thee
to impress upon my heart
lively sentiments of faith, hope and charity,
with true repentance for my sins,
and a firm desire of amendment.
Whilst with deep affection and grief of soul,
I ponder within myself and mentally contemplate
Thy five most precious wounds,
having before my eyes that which David the prophet spoke,
O Good Jesus: “They have pierced my hands and feet,
they have numbered all my bones”. Amen.