New Wine In Old Wineskins

SEPTEMBER 02, 2022, FRIDAY
Friday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time (Green)
CYCLE C - YEAR II
Lectionary: 435


Reading 1
1 COR 4:1-5

Brothers and sisters:

Thus should one regard us: as servants of Christ

and stewards of the mysteries of God. 

Now it is of course required of stewards

that they be found trustworthy.

It does not concern me in the least

that I be judged by you or any human tribunal;

I do not even pass judgment on myself;

I am not conscious of anything against me,

but I do not thereby stand acquitted;

the one who judges me is the Lord.

Therefore, do not make any judgment before the appointed time,

until the Lord comes,

for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness

and will manifest the motives of our hearts,

and then everyone will receive praise from God.


Responsorial Psalm
PS 37:3-4, 5-6, 27-28, 39-40

R. (39a) The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.


Trust in the LORD and do good,

that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.

Take delight in the LORD,

and he will grant you your heart’s requests.


R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.


Commit to the LORD your way;

trust in him, and he will act.

He will make justice dawn for you like the light;

bright as the noonday shall be your vindication.


R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.


Turn from evil and do good,

that you may abide forever;

For the LORD loves what is right,

and forsakes not his faithful ones.

Criminals are destroyed 

and the posterity of the wicked is cut off.


R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.


The salvation of the just is from the LORD;

he is their refuge in time of distress.

And the LORD helps them and delivers them;

he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,

because they take refuge in him.


R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

 

Alleluia
JN 8:12


R. Alleluia, alleluia.


I am the light of the world, says the Lord;

whoever follows me will have the light of life.


R. Alleluia, alleluia.


Gospel
LK 5:33-39

The scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus,

“The disciples of John the Baptist fast often and offer prayers,

and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same;

but yours eat and drink.”

Jesus answered them, “Can you make the wedding guests fast

while the bridegroom is with them?

But the days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them,

then they will fast in those days.”

And he also told them a parable.

“No one tears a piece from a new cloak to patch an old one.

Otherwise, he will tear the new

and the piece from it will not match the old cloak.

Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins.

Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins,

and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined.

Rather, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins.

And no one who has been drinking old wine desires new,

for he says, ‘The old is good.’”


GOSPEL REFLECTION:


The Gospel today speaks to us about doing the right thing at the right time. People can fast for various reasons, for example weight loss or being addicted to chocolate or other luxuries. Fasting for spiritual reasons is well recognised as a means of growing in awareness of our weaknesses and of helping us to overcome them, so that we are freer in our lives.


Sometimes we try to ‘patch up’ our lives with half efforts when a deeper change is really required. Prayer is wonderful for letting God communicate with you regarding change in your life when it is required. God can do more in us than we can ask or imagine – let Him direct you – listen to Him – He can be trusted.


PRAYER:


Lord, our Church is sorely in need of new wineskins. Grant me an elasticity of heart and mind, so that I can be ever open to the freshness and power of your word. Today, as I ponder what you say to me, may I cry out with joy to you and serve you with gladness.





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