Mark 2: 18-22 Old and New Wine and Wineskins (Gospel for February 26, 2005)

Written by Aileen Mallion (SE-2, SE-7 Shep); reviewed and edited by TM

Observation

It is noteworthy that the passage BEFORE and AFTER this Sunday’s gospel passage is about the disregard of Sabbath laws by Jesus and the disciples. BEFORE the gospel is the criticism by the scribes of Jesus’ eating with tax collectors (who were loathed because they were fellow Jews who extorted taxes in behalf of Romans). The passage AFTER the gospel is about how the disciples were picking grain during the Sabbath.

Obviously, this Sunday’s gospel intends to talk about Jesus’ views about the Sabbath.

It is also interesting why Jesus uses wineskin as an analog.

Interpretation

Pharisees are one of the Jewish factions in the time of Jesus. The word “pharisee” came from the Hebrew word “parosim” which means “specifier” since they always sought to specify the correct meaning of God’s law to the people.[1]

In this gospel, the word “fast” is mentioned several times. Fasting is significant in the lives of the Jews for this was observed since the Old Testament times. The Jews fasted in order to humble the soul. Naturally people would question why Jesus and his disciples do not follow the rules on fasting which were so much a part of Jewish life.

Jesus disagreed with the way that Jews have regarded following the laws of Moses (and there were hundreds of laws, not just the ten commandments) as their way of making themselves pleasing in God’s eyes. The Jews, particularly the Pharisees, believed that following the law is the way to be righteous in God’s eyes. But Jesus is saying that one’s relationship with God is not a legalistic relationship, but a personal one based on love and forgiveness.

The use of wine is symbolic. Wine symbolizes God’s joy when people are in fellowship with God and with each other. Just like a bunch of grapes are harvested and crushed to form new wine, so too are the new disciples made out of the fruit of God’s Spirit.

Wineskin is made of authentic goat-skin, and was used to carry wine during a journey. It becomes old when it has reached it’s maximum stretch to accommodate wine when poured. Stretching it too much would cause it to burst.

The old wineskin therefore refers to the Pharisees who believed in the legalistic approach to their relationship with God. Jesus knew that they would be resistant to the new way of looking at God’s relationship as a personal one, just like between a father and child (and not between judge and accused).

The new wine refers to this new kind of relationship, which is based on the human heart. When Jesus performed the miracle of curing the paralytic man, it was his heart that He followed and not the law of the Sabbath. In 1 Samuel 16:7, it says “the Lord does not look at the things man looks at; man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

This is not to say that we should ignore the laws. Instead we follow God’s commandments not out of obligation but because we they help us share God’s love to others.

Generalization:

A psychologist once said that “rules are for children; guidelines are for adults.” As we mature in our relationship with God, that relationship should be based not on obligation, but on love for God and for others. Possible guidelines are: What would Jesus do? In whatever I do, do others see God shining through me (to quote from our SA Vision/Mission)?

Application:

How do we assess our relationship with God. Is it based on law or based on a personal relationship with him? For examples:

- Do I go to Mass simply because it is an obligation? Or out of a genuine desire to offer myself to God?

- Do I go to the prayer meetings because it is a requirement of the Singles Apostolate to be called active and be recognised by other people? Or do I go because I love God and I want to praise Him?

- Do I go to the Outreach because I was asked by my shepherd or by TM and I do not want to disappoint them? Or do I go because it is my heart telling me I should be helping God’s children?

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[1] www.aristotle.net/~bhuie/pharsadd.htm; 3^rd paragraph