Do you cling to the past so that you resist accepting what is new? Could it be that you don’t trust the Holy Spirit enough? - Daily Reflections September 5,2014

NEW WINE IN NEW WINESKINS

 

In Jesus’ time, water, wine, oil and milk were stored in leather containers. The reason no one would put new and still fermenting wine into old wineskins is that the fermentation process produces gas, which would stretch the old skins to their bursting point. Then both the wine and the wineskins would be lost. So they always put new wine into new wineskins that would stretch without bursting.

       To further understand what Jesus is trying to teach, we must remember that the context of the parables is the religious practices of the Pharisees in contrast to those of Jesus’ disciples. The Pharisees fasted while Jesus’ disciples did not. So the parables relate to that contrast. On the one hand, Jesus was speaking about the “old garment’ or “old wineskin” of Judaism, and on the other hand, about the “new garment” or “new wine” of His teachings. Jesus anticipated the incompatibility of Judaism and Christianity, and the eventual split between them.

       But what has this to do with us today? The main point is that we must not become too comfortable with our traditions because God has marvelous ways of doing unusual things. When God moves, He usually manifests Himself in ways that are outside of our comfort zones.

       The election of Pope Francis last year surprised many. He shocked people by doing away, even on the first day of his Pontificate, with things that Vatican people were used to. His return to simplicity was “new wine” that needed “new wineskins.”

       Using “new wineskins” does not mean throwing away tradition. What is good and precious must be preserved but what is outdated has to go.

       The history of the Church is rich with examples of God’s moving power (“new wine”) and resistance by people who do not want to change. Therefore, we must be open to God’s “new wine” whenever it is poured out, even if it is difficult for us to change. Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Do you cling to the past so that you resist accepting what is new? Could it be that you don’t trust the Holy Spirit enough?

 

Lord, Your Holy Spirit has moved the Church in ever new directions. Your Spirit has moved me, too. Help me not to resist the urgings of Your Spirit but be docile and follow.