one puts new wine into old wine skins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed as well. But new wine must be put into fresh skins. Yet, no one who has tasted old wine is eager to drink new wine, but says, ‘The old is good.’”
REFLECTION:
In one Sunday Mass, a parish priest asked his parishioners to bring him packed meals the coming Friday. Friday came and twenty people showed up in the convent with packs of heavy lunch. The priest, with his own packed lunch, led the parishioners to a bus terminal. He pointed to them the dozens of children blocking passengers for cash or food. He said, “We’re eating with those children.” One parishioner answered, “I’m fasting, Father. I am giving all my food to them.” The priest answered, “No, your fasting and giving of food have no value if you are not eating with them. How can you fast in front of these Jesuses?” Fasting is not only getting rid of something; sometimes, it is getting rid of someone, especially the poor. Jesus wants us to feast with Him through the needy—not get rid of Him.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2020