is with them. But later the bridegroom will be taken from them and they will fast in those days.”
Jesus also told them this parable, “No one tears a piece from a new coat to put it on an old one; otherwise
the new will be torn and the piece taken from the new will not match the old. No one puts new wine
into old wineskins; 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 get
new wine, but says: The old is good.”

Reflection:

There is a difference between those who just
follow and those who lead and create new conversations
that enlighten the public. The Pharisees are of the former
mold. They just follow what is established by the tradition
of their elders. And they get angry when these traditions
are challenged. They cannot let it pass because it destroys
their otherwise neat and ordered world. That is why they
complain when they see Jesus’ disciples taking liberty at their
cherished canon of religious behavior. They do not devote
log time in prayer, nor practice asceticism as the disciples of
John and the Pharisees did. But Jesus is of the latter mold.
He does not follow but creates new paths in understanding
God’s law. That is why the religious authorities find Him
disconcerting. Jesus does not strengthen their cause. Matter
of fact He criticizes it and subverts it. And He does so not
out of scorn for them but from a deep understanding of the
spirit of the Law. Thus, in front of Jesus’ wisdom they can say
nothing. But it surely planted hatred in their hearts that is
hurt by the truth that Jesus proclaims.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2021