Friday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
Alright, show of hands, who fancies themselves a wine drinker? I’m more of a beer and bourbon guy but I do enjoy the plethora of clever wine quotes that retailers slap onto t-shirts, kitchen towels, drinkware, and home decor.
- “I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food.”
- “Beer is made by men, wine by God.”
- “Age gets better with wine”
Visiting the Finger Lakes region of upsta
te New York several years ago fostered in me an appreciation for wine. Well known across the country for producing stellar white wines, we visited several wineries, learned a lot, and, of course, bought enough bottles to fill a couple of cases in the trunk of our car for the trip home.
At the time of Christ, liquids were stored in clay jars or in containers made of animal skin. Wineskins were particularly convenient for transportation–easy to carry, lightweight, and spatially practical as the liquid was consumed. Wineskins need to be taken care of because as they are used over time, the leather wears down and risks rupturing, especially if one fills it with new, unfermented wine.
So, what is Jesus talking about today when he is confronted by the scribes and pharisees? He has come to radically shift our understanding of the world; to lift up the poor, the disenfranchised, the oppressed, the sick, the brokenhearted. We are called to renew our hearts; love God and neighbor, be merciful and love justice. St. Paul reflects a similar sentiment in his reminder to the Corinthians that we should be regarded “as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. The one who judges [us] is the Lord...for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will manifest the motives of our hearts” (1 COR 4:1, 4-5).
We become like old, worn out wineskins, weakened by sin, hatred, anxiety, anger, judgment. However, God is with us in the sacraments providing the grace to repair and strengthen our hearts to “Trust in the Lord and do good...for the Lord loves what is right, and forsakes not his faithful ones.” (PS 37:3, 28) May our good and gracious God guide our hearts and bring light to our lives.
Peace,
Brandon Meyer