A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mk 2:18-22)
The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast. People came to Jesus and objected, “Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day.
Jesus goes on to compare his time on earth as the bridegroom, present among the disciples, with other examples. He compares his teachings to new cloth sewn onto old clothing and new wine poured into old wineskins. The new cloth will shrink and tear an old garment, and new wine will burst old wineskins. Instead, Jesus says, new cloth should be sewn onto new garments, and new wine should be poured into new wineskins. Jesus brings about a newness through his presence and teachings that requires a change of customs and practices. He calls people to step away from adherence to brittle old religious practices and into supple, heartfelt praise that gives God due glory.
God, in this new year, help me recognize the areas within me that are brittle and serve no genuine purpose. Give me the grace to understand that fear overcome frees me to find you anew in desiring to remain in your word, wherever that leads. Every day, new obstacles to long-term goals emerge that seem to be insurmountable. They seem at times to eclipse you. Help me see beyond that—that the earthly goal is subject to your will. In obedience to your will, help me see past obstacles and go straight to you, to listen to your word and give you praise. You are God and I am not—all glory to you, Lord.
From the Gospel acclamation: “The word of God is living and effective, able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.