RBWords

    It is clear from Jesus' image of the wine and wineskins that he did not live in an age of "recycling!"  The meaning of the metaphor rests on "newness" here.  The message of Jesus and its expression required (then and now) a new way of looking at life.  The new way required new attitudes which would, in turn, be reflected in new ways of behaving.  Since the Pharisees placed great emphasis on external behavior that conformed to the traditions of the Mosaic Law, any change in behavior from their traditions would attract attention quickly.  This would be a bit like paying more attention to the bottle (or wineskin) than to the wine it contains.  Yet, as Jesus points out from the ordinary cultural experience of the time, putting new wine in old wineskins was impractical and risked the loss of the wine.  

     We experience the tension between the old and new in our church on a regular basis.  Are the teachings of the Second Vatican Council "new wine" or "old?"  Is the recent retranslation of the language of the Mass an effort to put new wine into old wineskins?  How does one make use of the strengths and values of tradition in creating the expression of Christian faith in a world of cell phones, internet, texting and tweeting?  The gospel scripture today reminds us that this challenge is a continuing one.  Is there any way we can improve on the design of the wineskins?  Is there any way we can improve the vines to produce "better" wine?  The richness of Jesus' image gives us much to savor!  It is truly fine wine!  What kind of containers are we?  AMEN