![OLD AND NEW [Mark 2:18-22] – Today's Gospel Reading in the Mass | A CHRISTIAN PILGRIMAGE](https://achristianpilgrim.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/wineskins.jpg)
MONDAY, SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Heb 5: 1-10 Ps 110 : 1-4 Mk 2: 18-22
EMBRACING THE NEWNESS CHRIST BRINGS
In the first reading from Hebrews, we encounter a profound insight into the role of the priest. A priest is chosen from among the people and appointed to act on their behalf in matters related to God. This role carries a weighty responsibility, one that requires compassion and empathy. The priest must be able to understand the struggles and temptations of those entrusted to him. Here, we see a beautiful picture of God’s desire for a relationship with humanity, one that is based on understanding and love. Jesus, our ultimate high priest, embodies this role perfectly. He knows our pain, our joys, and our trials. His sacrifice is not merely ritualistic; it is deeply personal and transformative. Through His suffering, He becomes the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him. This truth is at the heart of our faith: Christ, in His humanity, makes a way for us to experience grace and redemption.
In the Gospel, Jesus, in his response to the question on fasting, calls to embrace this newness of life He brings. “No one pours new wine into old wineskins.” What does this mean for us today? Both passages invite us to reflect on our own lives and our relationship with God. Are we clinging to old practices and traditions that no longer serve our spiritual growth? Or are we open to the new ways God is calling us to live? The invitation of Christ is not merely to uphold traditions but to embody a living faith that responds to the world’s needs. Moreover, Jesus emphasises the joy that comes from His presence. Fasting, as He suggests, is not just about abstaining; it’s about cultivating a relationship with God that is alive and dynamic. In our spiritual practices, let us seek to encounter Christ, who fills us with joy and purpose. Let us ask ourselves today: What old garments am I clinging to? What new wine is God pouring into my life? How can I embrace change in my spiritual journey, allowing Christ to reshape my heart and my actions?
Response: You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek.
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