Daily Gospel Reflection for January 18, 2021

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Mark 2:18-22

In today’s Gospel, we see that Jesus’ disciples seem to be doing something different. Or rather, not doing. We hear that the Pharisees and John’s followers fast, but Jesus’ followers do not. And the word used in the Gospel to describe this questioning is “objected.” They didn’t like it.

Jesus responds to them in two parts. First, He tells them that one cannot fast when the Bridegroom is with them (He, of course, is the Bridegroom). But that someday the Bridegroom will be taken away and then they will fast. This is why we see in the New Testament and all through history in the stories of the saints that fasting is an essential Christian discipline.

We are also called to fast while we wait for the return of our Bridegroom. But then Jesus goes beyond the simple answer.

”No one pours new wine into old wineskins.”

Jesus is the new wine. He came to fulfill the Old Covenant and to establish a New Covenant. This is why we are not bound to the Old Covenant, like the followers of John or the Pharisees were. Our life in Christ looks different because it is different.

I think this has practical implications for us, too. Especially during moments of conversion, or after receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we have this new life within us and don’t want to immediately return to our old lives and old habits, our old wineskins.

We need fresh wineskins. That might be new habits, new routines, new disciplines ... perhaps even the discipline of fasting.

Ponder:

What is one new discipline I can take on today to support my new life in Christ?

Pray:

Jesus, thank you for giving me new life in You. Help me to turn away from sin today and keep my gaze fixed on You.

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Our life in Christ looks different because it is different. #dailygospel

Copyright 2021 Megan Swaim