Daily Gospel Reflection for July 4, 2015

Today’s Gospel: Matthew 9:14-17

Independence Day

Optional Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Generally speaking, people dislike change and especially dislike the nonconformists who challenge their old ways of thinking and behaving. The Pharisees are no different in today’s Gospel reading as they criticize the disciples of Jesus for not fasting. These religious experts want the disciples to conform to their spiritual practices, to follow the old ways, This is impossible because the spiritual regime of the Pharisees is not rooted in the new revelations taught and lived out by the Son of God and his followers but in the Law of the Old Testament.

To illustrate the dangers of trying to adapt this new way of living in the Spirit to the old way of living under the Law, Jesus relates two examples, two mini-parables to explain. A new piece of cloth that is not preshrunk will tear away from an old cloak if it is used to patch a hole. New wine will burst old wineskins. The old life under the Law did not save anyone; it cannot simply be patched up. No, the new vibrant life in Christ will burst the old belief system that forced people to strive to be perfect with their own works ushering in a whole new way of life in Christ. It is a life which shares in the life of the resurrected Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit; it is a life which shatters life lived under the burden of the Law and the curse of Adam and Eve.

Ponder:

How do I cling to old patterns when God is calling me to embrace new ways of living, thinking, and praying?

Pray:

God, shatter my old wineskins and give me the grace to become a new wineskin so I might contain your Holy Spirit.

We thank our friends at The Word Among Us for providing our gospel reflection team with copies of Abide In My Word 2015: Mass Readings at Your Fingertips. To pray the daily gospels with this wonderful resource, visit The Word Among Us.

Copyright 2015 Melanie Jean Juneau