OLD OR NEW?
Jesus
and His disciples were questioned why they were not fasting. Jesus
reminded them that they did not fast because He was still with them.
Then He told them the parable of the old and new wineskins.
It was customary to fast while waiting for the coming of the bridegroom
during weddings. It was an anticipation of the celebration upon the
groom’s arrival. In this case, Jesus was the Bridegroom. He was the
Messiah, the One they were waiting for. Since He was already with them,
fasting was pointless. The rituals of the Pharisees were already
irrelevant since their purposes were now fulfilled in Jesus.
The same message is embodied in the succeeding parables. Old cloth
should not be patched with new cloth because the latter would shrink and
worsen the tear. New wine should not be put into old wineskin because
fermentation of the new wine will make it expand, thus stretching the
old wineskin. Simply put, they could not be together. Similarly, the old
ways of the Pharisees could not fit with the newness that Jesus brings.
The situation of the Pharisees was not easy. Their blindness and
rigidity even worsened it. They could not accept Jesus as the Messiah.
Laws are important but they are not absolute and perfect. We have to
give space for flexibility and spontaneity. God is active and living. He
is not stagnant. God continues to reveal Himself. We must be ready to
meet Him when He comes. We should not be tied and paralyzed by rituals
and laws. We must continue to discern and be humble to accept what God
will give us. That way, we will not miss Him like the Pharisees did. Fr. Benny Tuazon
REFLECTION
QUESTION: Are there practices that you are doing but do not know why?
It’s time to look at them closely and see if they are attuned to God’s
will.
Lord, grant me light and wisdom in everything that I do. To love You and serve You is my lone desire. Amen.
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