The new is better

Readings for Friday September 4, 2009

First Reading: Colossians 1:15-20
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 100
Gospel: Luke 5:33-39


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 the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined. Rather, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins. And no one who has been drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’” (Luke 5:36-39)

Most of us have difficulty letting go of things. Whether it be an object or a behavior, one thing is certain for us ... change is difficult. Many times we cling to things that do not do us any good or may even be helping to destroy us, but it is this comfort with the old that makes us hold on so tight. Even when there is something new and better out there, we still have the tendency to cling to the old.

Jesus knew us all too well when He told this parable. While it may seem silly to us that someone would rip a new cloak to repair an old one or pour fresh new wine into old wineskins; but whether we know it or not, this behavior is what we exhibit way more than we wish to admit. He also tells us that those who are drinking old wine do not desire new, because the "old is good." It is this same complacency with the old and the unwillingness to embrace change that makes us cling to the "old wine."

Jesus came to fulfill and bring us into the new covenant, the new covenant of His precious blood, which has been shed for us. His love and mercy are much more than we deserve; for this reason we need to abandon any old, selfish ways that lead us away from God ,and surrender our lives to Christ. Let us not have hardened hearts, but rather hearts open to Him and His truths. May we all drink of this new wine, and may we all drink deeply.

The old wine may be good, but the new wine is better!

Father above, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Lord, you are so good to us, for which we thank you. Lord, help us to surrender our old ways and embrace what you have to offer. Lord, you know what is best for us, and we pray that your will be done in our lives. Lord, we pray for all of our priests, for their ministry and in their vows. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.