Something New

Friday, Aug. 26, 2016

Having realized that recent entries in this space have come embarrassingly close to navel-gazing, I’ve decided to head in a different direction.

As I was contemplating how to do this, I attended a First Friday Mass and realized that I could put my newly acquired faith education to work by regularly writing a Scriptural reflection. I don’t think I can do it every week, but once a month seems manageable. As a bonus, if I reflect on the First Friday readings, it will encourage me to continue the devotion.

For those unfamiliar with the First Friday devotion, it developed from a promise that Christ made to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque in the 17th century, that those who received Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months would receive, among other gifts, the grace of final repentance. (A good source for information is http://www.catholictradition.org/Two-Hearts/sacred-heart3b.htm.) 

Excited about this opportunity to delve into something different, I read the readings for the Sept. 2 Mass. 

Then I sat and contemplated. 

And pondered. 

I re-read the verses and reflected some more.

Absolutely nothing came to mind.

Unwilling to admit defeat, I went online for exegesis that might inspire an original thought, and learned that, according to “The Grace Commentary,” the Gospel for Sept. 2 (Luke 5:33-39) presents “some of the most confusing” parables. 

Sometimes I imagine God laughing at me when I come up with these ideas. It’s as if he says, “Oh, so you think you’re smart enough to comment on the Scripture? OK, let’s see what you can do with this: No one who has been drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’”

At that point I almost did give up, but one adjective at the top of any list describing me would be “stubborn,” so I started contemplating why Jesus would say that the old religion of Judaism was good compared to the new faith he offered. (All the commentaries agree that Luke 5:33-39 refers to Judaism and Christianity, because the reading begins with the scribes and Pharisees asking why Jesus’ disciples didn’t fast as did those of John the Baptist and the Pharisees.)

After two days’ thought I decided I was asking the wrong question. Just prior to saying “The old is good,” Jesus says that a person doesn’t cut a piece from a new cloak as a patch for an old one, and neither is new wine poured into old wineskins. Instead, both the old and the new are valuable. (In Biblical times old cloaks weren’t thrown away; if one were ripped and couldn’t be repaired the material was recycled for another use, and old wineskins could be used to hold water, oil or other valuable items.)

Therefore, Jesus wasn’t comparing the two religions, he was saying that if he tried to impose Christianity upon Judaism, his new way would burst the old way, spilling the one and ruining the other. Rather, he offered something new to drink – and here the Eucharistic implications are obvious.

I was quite pleased with my perspicuity, until I returned to “The Grace Commentary” and found that I would have saved myself two days of pondering if I had read the entire article, because it comes to the same conclusion, except that it doesn’t reference the Eucharist.

Still, I don’t regret the effort. I enjoy puzzles, and it was reaffirming to learn that I’d gotten this one right. It also has me looking forward to hearing the First Friday homily at whatever parish I happen to visit – I’m sure I’ll learn more from the homilist.

Marie Mischel is editor of the Intermountain Catholic.