SATURDAY, THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Gn 27: 1-5, 15-29 Ps 135: 1-6 Mt 9: 14-17
‘NEW WINE’ – A TRANSFORMED HEART
In the first reading, Isaac, old and blind, intends to bless his elder son Esau. Rebekah, overhearing this, conspires with her favoured son Jacob to deceive Isaac and steal Esau’s blessing. Rebekah dresses Jacob in Esau’s clothes and covers his hands with goatskins to mimic Esau’s hairiness. Jacob then presents himself to his blind father, deceiving him into bestowing the blessing meant for Esau. This act of deception highlights the moral complexities within the Old Testament narratives. While Jacob receives the blessing, the means by which he obtains it are questionable. The consequences of this deception are far reaching, leading to familial strife and a broken relationship between Esau and Jacob.
In the Gospel, Jesus addresses the question of fasting, posed by John’s disciples. He uses the metaphors of the wedding feast, the unshrunk cloth, and the new wine to illustrate the incompatibility of the old and the new. Jesus implies that His presence marks a new era, a time of joy and celebration, making traditional fasting practices less relevant. The new wine of His teachings cannot be contained by the old wineskins of established religious customs. Jesus brings a new covenant, a new way of relating to God that transcends the rigid legalism of the past. The emphasis shifts from external observances to an internal transformation of the heart, guided by love and grace. Jesus, the Bridegroom of the Church wants us to be joyful in his company. External observances like fasting should nurture rather than contain this joy.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on the contrast between human manipulation and divine grace. Jacob’s deception stands in stark contrast to the newness and authenticity offered by Christ. While the Old Testament reveals the flaws and failings of even the chosen, the New Testament offers a path to redemption and renewal through faith in Jesus. May we be inspired to seek God’s blessings through genuine faith and love, embracing the new life offered in Christ.
Response: Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.
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