22nd Week in Ordinary Time: Friday 6th September 2019

Today’s Gospel reading involves the third conflict (1st on Forgiveness of sin Lk. 5:17-26 and 2nd on Call of Levi and fellowship with sinners Lk. 5:27-32). This 3rd conflict deals with the question of fasting involving the relationship between the Jewish and Christian practice of fasting. The fact that Jesus’ disciples did not fast is to be understood in the light of the totally new phase of salvation being inaugurated by Jesus. Jesus is not opposed to fasting and his attitude expressed in v 35 gives a basis for the custom of fasting in the early Church.

Jesus also used the simile of the new patch and new wine to make a challenging  point i.e. the practice of piety has to be expressed in a new way in Jesus. The last statement (v 39) no one after drinking old wine desires new; for he says ‘the old is good’ is an ironic comment. Those who cling to the old Pharisaic piety are blinding themselves to the newness of salvation which Jesus brings.

This is well expressed in the first reading (Col. 1:15-20) wherein it is affirmed that Christ is the head of all creation, above all things on earth and in heaven. He is the head of the Church and in Him the whole of creation converges. This is made possible by His very act of self-sacrificial death on the Cross.

We are completely dependent on Jesus who is our all in all.

Lord, You are my Lord and my all.