New Wine, New Wineskins
My Yoke is Easy
July 6, 2020
Rooted in God’s Love
July 6, 2020PITIK-BULAG: New Wine, New Wineskins
Are we open to new things in our life? Are you thrilled to learn new tricks, new behavior, and new learnings every day? The reason why we don’t grow or mature is that we are not open to change and new things in our lives. We vehemently resist changes. We are not disposed to try new things or leave our comfort zones. We are so comfortable with old things and old tricks. In effect, we become stagnant, irrelevant, ordinary, unexciting, and dull. Yes, we grow old in age. But we can be young in spirit and be more dynamic, spontaneous, and bold, as long as we are open to new things in life. When someone becomes a critic or enemy of new things, he or she becomes old.
In our gospel today, the disciples of Jesus and the Pharisees were reacting to Jesus’ inability to fast regularly. Fasting was one of the core values of the Jews. So both groups questioned the disciples’ lack of love for fasting. The issue here at hand was not on fasting alone. Traditions and culture are very important. It was John’s disciples and Pharisees’ lack of openness to accept new learnings, new behavior, and new experiences. Thus, in the end, they failed to appreciate the life-giving and growth-promoting effects of the new teachings of Jesus.
When our minds and hearts are closed to new things, we lose our ability to grow exponentially. Yes, the balance should be strike between conserving the old traditions and being open to new changes and opportunities that may come in our lives. Yes, our tradition should hook us to the foundation of our faith, but our openness to changes or new things allows us to grow in all fronts – physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Look at your life now. Are you open to change in your life? Are you reacting to new changes or situations in your life? Are you comfortable with new things, new behavior, a new set of rules, new gadgets, new relationships, new behavior, or even new dynamics in your family or community? What are the “old things” – like ill-behavior and attitude, bad memories, deeply rooted resentments, and old ways of doing things that you need to let go? Any things or bad memories or bad experiences or regrets that you’re still holding on? We need to let go of useless old things if it’s not helping us anymore. We need a new disposition to allow the Holy Spirit to come into our lives. What are the things you need to let go of?
In order for us to experience full spiritual maturity and experience the fulness of life, we need to be open to change. If there is resistance in your mind and heart, beg for the grace of humility and openness to dispose of yourself to accept changes. It is only then that we receive the Holy Spirit (the new wine) and pour it confidently into the new wineskin (our open disposition to change).
The world is changing everyday. In our world, today where nothing is permanent except change, pray to the Holy Spirit to give us the grace of humility and courage to embrace changes in our life. In this COVID crisis, where we are challenged to live fruitfully in this “new normal.” The best way to cope is not to resist the new situation, but to be more positive and pro-active in seeking life-giving ways how to live gracefully in these trying times. Don’t resist change. Befriend it. Count your blessings. See God in all things. And see new opportunities coming!
– Pitik-Bulag
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July 4, 2020 – Saturday
Gospel Reading: Matthew 9: 14-17
