New Wine, New Being

Gospel:  Matthew 9: 14-17

Jesus teaches an important lesson in two steps in today's Gospel portion.  First, we encounter the Pharisees and disciples of John who seek to order their lives according to rules.  Each has a rule about fasting which they do not see in Jesus' disciples.  Jesus teaches them that discernment is needed in terms of when to fast.  We do not fast at wedding parties, but instead we feast.  We do not put patches on things that need replacement.  Our action must conform to what is needed in the moment.

This process of discernment represents an entirely different way of looking at religion for the people of Jesus' day.  For so long they had been accustomed to law as the sole method of religious practice.  Now, however, Jesus challenges us to discern the will of God in our lives and to follow God's will for what is needed at each time and place.  An entirely new wineskin is needed for this undertaking.  A simple patch of the old will not do.  

So, we are challenged to become an entirely new being and entity in which to embody this discernment so that we can be loving and merciful to people in the world, to provide them the healing, liberation, and nourishment they need as the situation demands.  This is what Jesus did, going from place to place extending mercy and healing to all, even stopping for the unexpected visit when needed, refusing no one the help they needed.  This is our mission as well.