JESUS: THE NEW WINE (HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 22ND WEEK IN THE ORDINARY TIME YEAR II

Homily for the 22nd week in the ordinary time of year II

1 Corinthians 4:1-5. Psalm 37:3-4,5-6,27-28.39-40. Luke 33-39.

In the liturgy of the word today, St. Paul tells us in the First Reading: "This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required of stewards that they must be found trustworthy" (1 Cor.4:1-2). This recommendation pertains to clergy person, those whom are recognized as servants of God, saddled with the duty of preaching the word and administering the sacraments. As God's servants, we must be trustworthy and honest leaders. We must not let God down nor be a source of scandals and opprobrium to the lay faithful.

St. Paul went ahead to remind us Christians that we are "not to pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes" (1 Cor.4:4). We must be slow to judging others because we are never in a position to see things for what they truly are, in a holistic or comprehensive way. It is only God that sees things in totality. Accordingly, judgment must be left for God alone. That is not to say we cannot say something is wrong when it is wrong or not correct others when they are not doing the right thing. It should not deny us the obligation of being our brothers and sisters keeper.

The Pharisees and scribes in today's Gospel said to Jesus, "The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink" (Luke 5:33). The answer of Jesus to this statement is simply that there is time for everything under the sun. Since He, the bridegroom is still with His disciples, they don't need to fast but a time will come when He will no longer be with them, then they can fast. He concluded with a parable concerning a garment and wine. In this parable, Jesus is the new garment and the new wine. Jesus being the new garment and the new wine cannot be stitched with the old garment neither can He be put into the old wineskins. Likewise, as Christians, we must become new creatures. We must put off the old garment (sin and corruption) and put on the new. We must cast off the old self and become new wines in Christ. The new cloth and the new wine represent the good news that Jesus came to share with us. We must be reminded that the new cloth and new wine that Jesus gives are not materials for patch-work and mixing. This remains manifest even at the sacrament of Baptism, reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist.

May God through our way of living make us trustworthy stewards of His mysteries through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Have a lovely day!

Fr Remi osj