"And he also told them a parable. 'No one tears a piece from a new cloak to patch an old one. Otherwise, he will tear the new and the piece from it will not match the old cloak. Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst to skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined." -Luke 5:36-37
This morning at Mass the priest gave a beautiful reflection on the Gospel for today. He specifically pointed out the necessity of pouring new wine into new wineskins. The reason for this is that new wineskins are soft and flexible. Old wineskins are rough and brittle. As the wine ages, it ferments and carbon dioxide builds within the skins, thus the necessity of being flexible.
He continued in saying that we must have the same approach in our spiritual life. Our faith is ever growing and changing, becoming new with every grace we receive. We cannot and should not try to fit this "new" faith into our "old" ways of living out the faith because they will not help to "ferment" our faith. We must not be afraid of the change that is necessary for our continual growth. If we try to fit it in our "old" ways, we become dangerously close to losing the wine and destroying the skins.
Today we celebrate the memorial of Blessed Mother Teresa, a woman who was continually pouring herself out so that she could be filled with Him who first loved her. Her life is a beautiful witness of God's love and mercy in the world, even today.
Let us strive, in the words of Pope Saint John Paul II, to "be not afraid" of being as docile as the new wineskins.
Blessed Mother Teresa, pray for us.
Pope Saint John Paul II, pray for us.
Written by Alycia
