MONDAY 2ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME GOSPEL, COMMENTARY AND READING. NEW WINE IN FRESH WINESKINS (Mk 2:18–22).
GOSPEL OF MONDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Mk 2:18–22
A discussion on fasting
The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast. People came to Jesus and objected, “Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day. No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak. If he does, its fullness pulls away, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse. Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are ruined. Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins.”
GOSPEL COMMENTARY
The Gospel of today’s Mass narrates the discussion on fasting on between the disciples of John and of the Pharisees with Jesus’ disciples, who were criticised by the former for not fasting.
Jesus replies making use of the symbol of the wedding feast during which the bridegroom (Jesus) and his guests (his disciples) do not fast while the groom is present, but they will do so when he goes away, to underline the difference between the Old and the New Testament the novelty of the latter, which should be received with a new attitude.
- In the Old Testament, the Bridegroom has not arrived yet.
- In the New Testament, the Bridegroom = the Messiah has finally arrived. His arrival requires a change of spirit and attitude (fresh wineskins) in order to welcome Him and abide by the newness of his Teachings (new wine), for the moulds of the Old Law (old wine and wineskin) are no longer sufficient.
Dear brethren in Christ, this change of spirit and attitude consists in the acceptance of Christ and his Teachings which are transmitted to us through the Church He founded on Peter, the first Vicar of Christ (Pope). Do we follow Christ in His Only Church (the Catholic Church) and abide by His teachings in its entirety? Christ and His Church are inseparable, let us not forget. and one cannot fully love Christ, without loving His Church.
At the same time, although mentioned in a tangential way, we are reminded of fasting, which has its spiritual benefits. It makes us more sensitive to God’s presence and voice; purifies us from our sins and the stains left by them; and helps us to acquire dominion over ourselves and our disordered passions. May we be generous in offering small mortifications during the day out of love for God and of souls.
Stay safe always. A great day ahead and God bless! Fr. Rolly Arjonillo
Almighty ever-living God, who govern all things, both in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the pleading of your people and bestow your peace on our times. Through our Lord.
Collect prayer 2nd week in Ordinary Time
VIDEO COMMENTARY
TOPIC: DO YOU NEED A CHANGE OF HEART AND THE MIND OF CHRIST?
In today’s gospel reading (Mark 2:18-22), Jesus replies to a logical question raised by some Pharisees on why Jesus’ disciples feasted while John’s disciples and all the Pharisees prayed and fasted. Our reflection today revolves around the metaphors Jesus used: Jesus as a bridesgroom, new cloth as patch for torn old cloth, and new wine on old wineskin.
READING FROM WRITINGS OF SAINTS
Have faith in Christ, and love
by St. Ignatius of Antioch
Try to gather together more frequently to give thanks to God and to praise him. For when you come together frequently, Satan’s powers are undermined, and the destruction he threatens is done away with in the unanimity of your faith. Nothing is better than peace, in which all warfare between heaven and earth is brought to an end. None of this will escape you if you have perfect faith and love towards Jesus Christ. These are the beginning and the end of life: faith the beginning, love the end. When these two are found together, there is God, and everything else concerning right living follows from them. No one professing faith sins; no one possessing love hates. “A tree is known by its fruit.” So those who profess to belong to Christ will be known by what they do. For the work we are about is not a matter of words here and now, but depends on the power of faith and on being found faithful to the end.
It is better to remain silent and to be than to talk and not be. Teaching is good if the teacher also acts. Now there was one teacher who “spoke, and it was made,” and even what he did in silence is worthy of the Father. He who has the word of Jesus can truly listen also to his silence, in order to be perfect, that he may act through his speech and be known by his silence. Nothing is hidden from the Lord, but even our secrets are close to him. Let us then do everything in the knowledge that he is dwelling within us so that we may be his temples and he may be God within us. He is, and will reveal himself, in our sight, according to the love we bear him in holiness.
“Make no mistake,” my brothers: those who corrupt families “will not inherit the kingdom of God.” If those who do these things in accordance with the flesh have died, how much worse will it be if one corrupts through evil doctrine the faith of God for which Jesus was crucified. Such a person, because he is defiled, will depart into the unquenchable fire, as will any one who listens to him.
For the Lord received anointing on his head in order that he might breathe incorruptibility on the Church. Do not be anointed with the evil odour of the teachings of the prince of this world, do not let him lead you captive away from the life that is set before you. But why is it that we are not all wise when we have received the knowledge of God, which is Jesus Christ? Why do we perish in our stupidity, not knowing the gift the Lord has truly sent us?
My spirit is given over to the humble service of the cross which is a stumbling block to unbelievers but to us salvation and eternal life.
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