September 3, Friday – claretonline

TWENTY-SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

CREATED ANEW IN CHRIST

In today’s first reading, Paul makes, or more probably uses, a liturgical hymn that describes the primacy of Christ as the Lord of all. This is precisely the core of our faith, that Christ is the first-born of creation, and, as the risen Lord, the head of all humanity, the principle of authority and vitality, the source of all life and growth. He restores people and all things from alienation.

We are created anew in Christ, the Lord and the new beginning of all. With Christ, we have to renounce all compromises with the old in us and live in the new spirit of Christ. How well have we accepted the renewal that Vatican II asks of us?

First Reading: Colossians 1:15-20

We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body.

He was supreme in the beginning and—leading the resurrection parade—he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he’s there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross.

Gospel: Luke 5:33-39

They asked him, “John’s disciples are well-known for keeping fasts and saying prayers. Also the Pharisees. But you seem to spend most of your time at parties. Why?”

Jesus said, “When you’re celebrating a wedding, you don’t skimp on the cake and wine. You feast. Later you may need to pull in your belt, but this isn’t the time. As long as the bride and groom are with you, you have a good time. When the groom is gone, the fasting can begin. No one throws cold water on a friendly bonfire. This is Kingdom Come!

“No one cuts up a fine silk scarf to patch old work clothes; you want fabrics that match. And you don’t put wine in old, cracked bottles; you get strong, clean bottles for your fresh vintage wine. And no one who has ever tasted fine aged wine prefers unaged wine.”

Prayer

Faithful God of tenderness and mercy,
you want us to be your people
on the march with Jesus your Son
toward a new future of justice and love.
Do not allow us to suffocate in being contented
with old habits and sluggish ways.
Help us to accept the pain
of leaving the familiar behind us
and open us to the challenge of the gospel
to become more like your Son
who guides our faltering steps,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Reflection:

A call to be happy

The subject of food is often the subject of litigation. The Jewish leaders accused Jesus of being an eater and a drinker. He was accused of eating and drinking with tax collectors and public sinners. Sharing a table for meal was a sign of acquaintance and friendship. In today’s Gospel, they raise the issue of fasting. Fasting was seen as a symbol of religious superiority. They considered those who fasted as better or holier than the rest. That is why they compare the disciples of Jesus with the those of John the Baptist and of the pharisees. How could Jesus advocate his disciples not to follow these traditions on fasting? The new Kingdom that Jesus establishes is expressed in the symbolism of the wedding banquet where guests are gathered together not to mourn nor be sad, instead to celebrate and to share the joyful moments with the groom. With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, all things are new, we cannot be tied to the outdated past that still asks us to be waiting. John the Baptist and his disciples for sure had a reason to fast – because John was anticipating the coming of the Messiah. Fasting was a way of preparation to receive him. The Jews have totally missed the point and demanded a continuation of the past traditions. Jesus wants to clarify with them that the Messiah that they have been waiting for is already here. The time of fasting and time of preparation have already passed. Now is the time to cherish every moment that we live in the presence of the Messiah just as the wedding guests cherish their moments of joy together with the bride groom. To follow Jesus is to accept him in his entirety. This means thinking like Jesus, showing the mercy of the Lord; feeling like Jesus to know the pains and emotions of people; loving like Jesus and forgiving even those who hate us, who do us harm; suffering like Jesus, willingly laying down our life for the life the other. There is nothing called partial belief or partial faith in Jesus. No patchwork is possible where we accept some portions of Jesus while we continue with our old ways of life. St. Paul would remind us to remove our old self completely and put on the new person of Christ. Since the source of joy is Jesus himself, the bridegroom at the wedding, this joy is the fruit of the Spirit. When we sit at the Lord’s table and drink the new wine of the New Covenant, we overflow with joy to be with this spouse, Jesus, who makes us so happy. We have received a call to be happy.

Video available on Youtube: A call to be happy

A call to be happy

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