Fresh Wine Skins
In today's first reading for Holy Pentecost, we heard of how the people were amazed that the apostles were speaking in different languages. The next verse, not included in the reading, tells us that some mocked saying that the apostles were filled with new wine. One of our Sisters reflects on this in her Pentecost poem:
…the disciples had now become fresh wine skins…The new wine of the Holy Spirit filled them, so that their fervor brimmed over…(6th Cent. African Author)
The upper room where Christ had raised the drink
Of praise and shared what was no longer same
Red press of grape, but His own bloodstream, link
Enduring—that was where the Promise came.
No gentle breeze announced the waited Guest,
But storm wind sounding, whirling fire overhead;
From springs within a swirling surge to crest
Of speech—God’s word, His wonders tongued and spread
By accents rising, falling in plainsong
To pilgrims gathered there; apostles wined
With fruit of Christ’s blessed Passion: Spirit strong;
Inebriate indeed, transformed, and signed.
Fresh Wine skins, taut and spilling over, share
The potion of love’s power to endure.
Fresh Wine Skins
…the disciples had now become fresh wine skins…The new wine of the Holy Spirit filled them, so that their fervor brimmed over…(6th Cent. African Author)
The upper room where Christ had raised the drink
Of praise and shared what was no longer same
Red press of grape, but His own bloodstream, link
Enduring—that was where the Promise came.
No gentle breeze announced the waited Guest,
But storm wind sounding, whirling fire overhead;
From springs within a swirling surge to crest
Of speech—God’s word, His wonders tongued and spread
By accents rising, falling in plainsong
To pilgrims gathered there; apostles wined
With fruit of Christ’s blessed Passion: Spirit strong;
Inebriate indeed, transformed, and signed.
Fresh Wine skins, taut and spilling over, share
The potion of love’s power to endure.
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