And no one who has been drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good'” (Lk 5:39).
Jesus is most likely referring to those who do not see him as the promised Messiah because they are holding onto the Old Covenant and so not able to receive the wine of the fulfillment of the law, the New Covenant. Many of us can relate to holding on to the old. The old can be more comfortable, the old is proven to be tried and true. A favorite wine, a pair of broken-in jeans or shoes, a favorite book read time and again, these are all part of the simple pleasures of life.
In Jesus’ parable, he is challenging us to go deeper. He is inviting us to recognize those things that we are holding onto that may be preventing us from more than just a mere existence or survival mode of living to instead engaging in the freedom for which we have been created. He is also challenging us to discern the difference between apparent goods and the real good. Even more of a challenge is the competition of goods between two actual goods. What will help us is that the good to be chosen is God’s will. The wonderful gift is that deep down, God’s will matches our’s. We are often blocked from seeing that.
We have created patterns in our lives that may appear and feel safe, but in actuality may be holding us back from a deeper and fuller experience. We may be influenced by cultural or social tremors that may dictate to us that we are too old, that we are too young, that to do this or that is too much of a risk… Each of these examples can be challenging on the material plane of existence, yet while Jesus seeks the best for us in our every day activities, at the same time, he is calling us to go even deeper spiritually.
God the Father is infinite and inexhaustible. Though the Gospel remains the same, there are always new ways, new means to hear the message, to go deeper, so to better be able to practice and share what we have learned. Each generation has to claim the deposit of faith offered and share it as God leads. Our faith is not some inanimate artifact passed on but an organic relationship that matures and deepens age after age.
Not knowing the first thing about Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or WordPress, about ten years ago, I felt led to share these daily reflections. I was quite happy reading, learning, and sharing within the four walls of my classroom. That was safer and what I knew, but I felt Jesus urging me to reach out to those of my students that graduated, to parishioners and anyone else who might be interested. The idea was a risk to try some new wine.
My biggest fear was adding one more thing to my already full schedule. That initial fear of having less time with JoAnn was unfounded because writing these reflections opened up more time together each evening. We began to pray and read the daily Mass readings together, and I would then share my reflection. JoAnn critiqued them and we would discuss what we learned together. In resisting the fear, I trusted the lead of Jesus, and we were blessed to received more intimate time with Jesus and each other.
In what way is God calling you to take a step out of your comfort zone? In what way can you share your faith journey with others? As you take a look at the horizon, whatever time of day you can, and whatever it may look like in your corner of the world, take some deep breaths, as God to reveal in what unique way Jesus is inviting you to participate in building up his kingdom. A life surrendered to Jesus, lived in collaboration with him, is ever new, ever better, in a way we haven’t experienced before, and an opportunity to taste some new wine from a fresh wineskin!
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Photo: With the hand of Jesus in one and Mary’s hand in another, we will receive the support and guidance we need as we grow in God’s love and will.
Spiritual Stepping Stones 