+(Intro) We will hear this morning St Paul telling us how the Lord, when he comes, “will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will manifest the motives of our hearts,” so let us take a moment to be mindful of our sins and failings.
(After the gospel) Jesus asking the scribes and Pharisees if they “can make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them,” is speaking volumes about how he wants to be present among us. Nothing pleases him more than to be the bridegroom of his people, loving us deeply and wanting us to love in return. His whole life here on earth was the expression of this love, inviting us to share in His own divine life.
As our gospel goes on to say, one does not pour new wine into old wineskins, this is speaking loudly to us today, to our own time. As tensions continue to arise within the Church, recent Popes keep reminding us of how important it is to be continually listening to one another, to be a synodal Church. This is becoming more and more urgent. Only in a careful listening to others and allowing our perspectives to expand, will we be true to the good news of the gospel.
Let us pray then, that our families, our communities, our Church may be ever more open and loving, as Jesus is calling us to be.
1 Cor 4:1-5; Luke 5:33-39