The Holy Gospel according to Mark 2:18-22
The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast.
People came to Jesus and objected,
“Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast,
but your disciples do not fast?”
Jesus answered them,
“Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?
As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast.
But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them,
and then they will fast on that day.
No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak.
If he does, its fullness pulls away,
the new from the old, and the tear gets worse.
Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins.
Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins,
and both the wine and the skins are ruined.
Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins.”
Reflection: This Gospel reminds me of the word “Change”. It is such a tiny word but is so threatening to us because we become comfortable with our ways, our methods, and everyday patterns and prefer not to change. The word change normally refers to new beginnings, but new beginnings involve work on our end. These transformations often happens not when something new begins, but when something old falls apart.
On the contrary, change could be good because it develops us into a conversion for our own personal growth. Let’s use nature as an example. Look at the trees just outside our doors that have lost their luster, their leaves and some even look like they are dead. These trees go through a process of transformation where they go dormant in the winter only to accept this change and grow stronger, taller and bloom these beautiful leaves in the spring and summer. Some even give off some vibrant flowers. We will normally do anything to keep the old thing from falling apart, yet this is when we need patience and guidance, and the freedom to “let go” instead of tightening our controls and beliefs.
What’s important about change is how we anticipate it and react to it. Change always happens, but transformation is always a process of letting go, living in the confusing, shadowy space with many obstacles. All we have to do is learn how to live with it then accept it. My Sisters and Brothers, I say to “Let Go and Let God” be your guide to opening your old ways (old wine skins) to accept the new ways (new wine) that are presented to us. God calls us into growth and a new life. I believe we call this … HOPE.
Action of the Day: Stop what you’re doing at home or if you’re driving and at the next stop sign; Pray to accept that goodness God has to offer you and being made anew in the likeness of Our Lord. What changes is God offering you?
Audio Reflection:
