Luke 5:33-39
Jesus warns us this: “Do not fast as the Pharisees do”. What is wrong with the practices of the Pharisees? The Pharisees would fast, do penance and pray in order to be noticed by people. Instead of giving glory to God, their religious practices are intended to glorify themselves. If the purpose of our good deeds is to glorify ourselves, then we are taking from God the honor that supposedly belongs to Him. Such behavior is utterly shameful. This is the old wine that we should no longer be drinking.
What is the new wine? This is the kind of relationship between God and human beings that Jesus would like us to learn and keep. This relationship is motivated by love, not laws, by joy, not fear. Jesus declares: “The wedding guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them.” In other words, as long as Jesus is with us we should neither worry nor fear. Even when problems and trials come our way, we should remain calm and peaceful because the Lord is there to protect us. Henceforth, Saint Paul exhorts us: “Be cheerful always, pray without ceasing, and be grateful to God in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). We should start to worry only when Jesus is taken away from us or when we distance ourselves from the Lord.
Today, we are challenged to remain trustful and cheerful. Jesus, our Good Shepherd, promises to be with us until the end of time (Matthew 28:20).
