Hardened Arteries

  Because I've never used a wineskin, Jesus' example of the wineskins in Luke 5:37-38 has not been one that spoke to me.  The biblical commentators say this story is about flexibility, remaining pliable to God.  I do understand about flexibility; my joints and muscles remind me every day that I am not as young and flexible as I used to be. A similar example is in Ezekiel 36:26 in which the Lord says, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."  
  We now know through medical science that hardened arteries and hardened heart muscle will eventually kill a person.  Arteries and hearts that are hardened cannot efficiently move blood and oxygen through our bodies.  On the other hand, proper food and exercise help keep our arteries and hearts in good physical shape.  Repentance and listening to God help to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape.
  The Lord also says through Ezekial, "I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols.  And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws" (Ezekial 36:25, 27).  So the way to a new heart and a new spirit is repentance, forgiveness by God and receiving the Spirit.

  For Reflection:  Jesus was saying to the religious leaders that their hearts were hardened; they were not flexible or adaptable to God's ways.  What kind of shape is my heart in?  Read Hebrews chapter 3 for further reflection.
  Let us pray. "O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.  On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night" (Psalm 63:1, 6).

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