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The Pharisees earlier asked why Jesus was eating with sinners and outcasts. Now they go one step further and ask why He is eating at all! They put forward the example of John the Baptist and his disciples who used to fast regularly.
Jesus answers their question in two ways: First, people do not fast when they are in the company of the bridegroom. That is a time for celebration. By implication, of course, Jesus is the groom.
In His second answer using the examples of a new patch on old cloth and new wine in old wineskins, Jesus is basically saying that new ways of thinking also need new ways of behaving. Jesus' ideas cannot be fitted into the old ways of the Jewish Law. He cannot be judged by the old ways. Jesus did not measure religion by external actions like fasting or keeping other requirements of the Law. For Him religion was a matter of the inner spirit. There are still people who try to live in the post-Vatican II Church with a pre-Vatican II way of thinking and doing. It is like trying to keep new wine in old wineskins.
Help me, Lord, to have a deep understanding of what it means to be a Christian in these times.
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DAILY OFFERING
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Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.
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PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
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INTENTION
That governments and those responsible for the economy and finance of the world, may make an effort to guarantee all peoples the necessary means to live in a dignified way.
Elaboration
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