33And they said to him, "The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink." 34And Jesus said to them, "Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? 35The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days." 36He told them a parable also: "No one tears a piece from a new garment and puts it upon an old garment; if he does, he will tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old. 37And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. 38But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. 39And no one after drinking old wine desires new; for he says, `The old is good.'"
Fasting is some form of preparation for the main event. Jesus makes the point “Why fast when you are in the main event”. Perhaps the other point being made is when you are on a good thing, realise you are on a good thing. Face life with gratitude and celebrate what you have. The other part of the reading is a parable about mixing old with new. Perhaps when you look at the reading in it’s entirety, it suggests don’t go back to pre-Jesus ways and teachings. He is the new garment and the new wine.
ReplyDeleteStrengths:
DeleteYou've effectively captured the contrast between the old and the new, as presented in the parable.
You've connected the passage to the theme of spiritual transformation and the need to embrace new ways of understanding and living.
You've expressed a desire to live a life that aligns with God's will.
Areas for Improvement:
While you've focused on the individual's choice, the passage also highlights the importance of community and shared experience.
The concept of "fasting" could be explored further. What does it mean to fast in a spiritual sense?
You might consider the implications of the parable for understanding the nature of tradition and the need for renewal.
Additional Thoughts:
The passage could be seen as a call to examine our own attitudes and beliefs. Are we clinging to outdated traditions or embracing the new wine of the Gospel?
The image of new wine and old wine skins can be seen as a powerful symbol of the need for spiritual transformation. How can we become "new wineskins" to receive the new wine of God's kingdom?
Overall, your response is insightful and demonstrates a good understanding of the passage.