New Wine - New Wineskins

In Jesus time, it was customary to ferment and store new wine in containers made from animal skins. The whole animal skin might be used or just the gut. For new wine, a newly made skin would be used. A new skin would be able to expand and stretch while securely containing the fermenting wine. Fermenting done, the skin would continue to serve as a container for the wine, even after it had began to lose its elasticity, since the fermentation had stopped. The skin could be reused to store old wine already fermented, but because it was now stiffened, it was not suitable for fermenting new wine, lest it burst under the pressures of fermentation. 

With this in mind, let us listen to Jesus use this well understood process to illustrate who he was and why he was different from all those who had gone before him, even the greatly revered John the Baptist.

The Pharisees saw (Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners) and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

Then the disciples of John approached him and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast (much), but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.

People do not put new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. Rather, they pour new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.” Mtt. 9:11

[Luke adds] And no one who has been drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’” 

Now we have here three things to consider;

1. Something New is being offered - you will need to get a new wineskin.
2. The Old is to be respected - not disparaged - it has much to offer.
3. Change is always a challenge.

We have a wonderful and clear demonstration of this principle, New Wine / New Wineskin, in Pope Francis. While carefully protecting the old winskin of the Church's doctrinal foundation, he is fashioning a new wineskin - a new model for the mission of the Church in this new age. A new wine, of a new evangelization, one by witness and outreach, to those who have become disconnected from the Church or who have yet to hear its true message is fermenting in the minds of young and old alike. However, as the Lord's words in Luke warned, we see that some in the Church do not like the taste of this new wine and are resisting, continuing to cling to the old and familiar. 

As we begin this new year of grace in the Church, it will serve us well to take a serious look at this subject as it reflects on our personal faith life. Here are some points for consideration and meditation.

• Have I become too comfortable, even complacent in my prayer life?

• Do I realize that no one is exempt from this mandate to change and grow, reflected in the Spirit's choice of Pope Francis?

• The Voice of the Lord stirs in one's heart, am I hearing or not?

• A new direction must compliment and build on what has been spoken, what was the direction given in my last, "voice of consolation?"

• Change is challenging, am I seeking to be excused from going forward? What are my excuses, what holds me back?

Speak Lord, Your servant is . . . . . . . .