First Reading: 1 Sm 15:16-23
Psalm: Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23
Gospel: Mk 2:18-22
Today we are presented with the middle part of five conflicts in
Mark’s gospel. Last Friday and Saturday we heard how Jesus got into
trouble with the scribes because he forgave sins and ate with
sinners, another sign of forgiveness. The gospel readings for
tomorrow and the day after present Jesus in trouble again this time
with the Pharisees because of alleged Sabbath violations.
Compared with these four conflicts, the center, today’s gospel
reading, seems to be quite harmless. There are no scribes or
Pharisees around, just ordinary people asking why Jesus’ disciples
do not fast as often as some Jewish groups do. But today’s gospel
reading is an explosive one.
Jesus speaks of himself three times as the bridegroom. You may
ask: “So what?” The Jews used this word only for the real
bridegrooms, or for God, the bridegroom of his spouse Israel. By
comparing himself with a bridegroom, Jesus indicates that through
his teaching and actions, through his very person, God has become
present in the world in a new and unique way. That is why he heals
and forgives, why he can call himself “Lord of the Sabbath.”
This is indeed a new teaching, something unheard of, something that
shocks and scares the religious leaders. It is a teaching so new
and explosive that it does not anymore fit into the old ways in much
the same way as new fermenting wine cannot be put into old hardened
wineskins because they would burst and the new wine spilled. Jesus’
teaching is not just a patchwork of the new and the old. Whoever
follows Jesus must be ready to embark upon a whole new way of life.
In yesterday’s celebration of the Santo Niño, we seem to have tamed
Jesus. We have made him a handsome harmless Jesus. He is
compassionate, loving and forgiving. But with his divine power and
authority, he also demands a lot from his followers. He challenges
us to let go of our old sinful or tepid way of living and live a new
life, his life. We cannot ease our conscience when we continue to
go our old ways saying, “the Lord is so good, he will understand.”
Neither can we say, “The Lord will understand” when we are not ready
to give up our bad habits or even vices. New wine must be put into
new wineskins. Renewal, turning away from sin and acting on the
gospel, is what Jesus demands of each and every one of us.