Out with the Old and in with the New

July 16, Saturday, 15th Week in Ordinary Time
Daily readings: Amos 9:11-15; Gospel: Matthew 9:14-17

Let us be receptive to the Holy Spirit's invitation to God-led transformation.

In the gospel story, Jesus tells two parables: one is about putting new, unshrinking cloth on old material, and the other is about putting new wine in new skins.

First, there is the issue of fresh wine in fresh wineskins. We frequently attempt to avoid actual change by altering superficial appearances. Sometimes we dread change because we will be enslaved if we do not change. However, Jesus warns us that this can be even more detrimental than not altering.

Second, Jesus asks us to live in the present moment: he, the bridegroom, is now with his disciples; it is a time to rejoice. There will eventually be a day when he is taken away, and they will be heartbroken.

We waste so much time and energy regretting missed opportunities in the past and worrying about the future. Nevertheless, the moment is all we have, so let us be grateful for what we have now and experience it to the fullest extent possible.

In light of the gospel narrative, I believe that the Lord desires to release a torrent of fresh wine into the church today, but He instructs us to prepare our wineskins. What is outmoded must be redesigned, and what is ineffective must be replaced. God desires to do something new. "Resist not."

Let us examine ourselves and our lives to determine where we need to make changes and pray for the courage to do so.