The need of New Wineskins

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 13th Week - Saturday*

*The need of New Wineskins*

*GOSPEL -  Mt 9:14-17*

*FIRST READING - Am 9:11-15*

*1) The need of Newness*

Newness is something which is attractive to all of us. 

Only when there is something new, things become more meaningful and life becomes joyful 

Where there is no Newness, there is no life

*2) Newness is the Sign of Growth*

Newness and growth go together. 

Where is there is growth, there comes something new and fresh 

Growth always witnesses the new changes and growth in perticular area 

*3) New Wineskins and Old Wineskins*

The Gospel of the day speaks about two important things. They are new wine with fresh Wineskins and old wine with old Wineskins

The equation is very simple. Jesus says one needs new and fresh Wineskins to fill the new and fresh wine 

One can't put the new wine into the old Wineskins. If one attempts such a thing, both wine as well as the Wineskins will be lost 

*4) The concept of New Wine*

The Gospel presents to us that the new Teachings of Jesus need to be considered as the New wine 

Some of the examples for the new wine could be the following

Loving ones enemies

Praying for the persecutors

Walking two miles instead of one 

The practice of forgiveness

Showing the other cheek when one strikes at the one cheek 

Leaving the 99 sheep and going in search of one 

Breaking the social barriers by welcoming and touching the sinners, lepers, sick people, speaking for widows etc 

The above teachings of Jesus resemble the new wine of the Gospel

*5) New Wineskins*

All the followers of Jesus should have new Wineskins to practice the above teachings of Jesus 

With old mentality or with old Wineskins *(example: tooth for an tooth and eye for an eye)* one can't practice Jesus' new teaching 

So our mind, heart and life is nothing but the Wineskins for Jesus' new wine 

So now the question is whether my heart, mind and life is equal to new Wineskins???

*6) Making it new Wineskins is a continuous process*

Preparing the new Wineskins is not a one day or few days work 

It is a life long mission, for which one has to work hard 

All our activities must help us to prepare the new Wineskins to fill the new wine in it 

*7) Am I ready to prepare new Wineskins?*

In fact our primary mission, as a Christian, is to prepare the new Wineskins

If so, am I ready to prepare the New Wineskins? 

What are the ways, which are suitable to prepare new Wineskins, found in my life? 

Have I understood the gravity and importance of the new Wineskins in my Life? 

What are the difficulties and the challenges I face in preparing the new Wineskins?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*