THE “DIRT” ON OUR FOREHEADS!

FEBRUARY 22, 2012

MATTHEW 6: 1 - 6, 16 - 18

by Lorenz S. Centino, Jr.

1 "Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 "Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 5 "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 16 "And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS:

A BLESSED WEDNESDAY TO ALL!!!

Today we celebrate ASH WEDNESDAY to commence our Lenten journey. This 40-day Lenten season is the most important period in our Church’s liturgical life. By tradition, we Catholics go to Church today to be “marked with ashes on our foreheads” as an invitation to SELF-RENEWAL. This is one of the days that our churches will be crowded. This is day that Catholics can easily be seen and be recognized among the crowd anywhere because of some “dirt” on their foreheads. Many of us Catholics are so PROUD of this “dirt” that we don’t wash it throughout the day. We just want to be known as to who we are through such “dirt.” We want to be known as Catholics!

In the Bible, abundantly shown in the Old Testament, ashes have the symbolism of SORROW and REPENTANCE, hence the desire for SELF-RENEWAL. The prophet Daniel has this prayer: "I turned to the Lord God, pleading in earnest prayer, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes" (Dn 9:3). The prophet Jeremiah who called the people for repentance exhorts in this way: "O daughter of my people, gird on sackcloth, roll in the ashes" (Jer 6:26). In the book of Judith, we find a clear depiction of putting ashes on the peoples’ head as symbolic expression of repentance: "And all the Israelite men, women and children who lived in Jerusalem prostrated themselves in front of the temple building, with ashes strewn on their heads, displaying their sackcloth covering before the Lord" (Jdt 4:11; see also 4:15 and 9:1). Jesus, in the New Testament, indicates the use of ashes as signs of repentance: "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes" (Mt 11:21, Lk 10:13).

In the Gospel today, it would seem that Jesus is against the “ritualistic” or “outward” show of repentance. His words might have caused a shock among his listeners that could have shaken them up to reconsider the kind of religious practices that they are used to. The words of Jesus could also be a shock to us all today as we continue to perform the EXTERNAL RITUALS of Ash Wednesday. In the Gospel, Jesus exhorts us not to practice piety before men in order to be seen by them for it will not give us any reward from our Father who is in heaven. And when we pray, Jesus asked us not to do it in public for people to witness but rather do it in secret. Moreover, when we are in the point of repentance, we should wash our face rather than look dismal and dirty.

What Jesus is really against of is the HYPOCRISY of the performance of piety and not really against the PERFORMANCE of external practices themselves. Jesus was not against any external practice of piety. He even observed and performed them. Jesus observed the rituals of the Feast of Passover during his last suffer with his disciples. He even taught us to perform the ritual of our own Christian Passover through the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Just before their last supper, Jesus even performed the ritual of washing of the feet unto his disciples. 

What Jesus is against of is the SHOWING OFF or BLOWING of ONE’S HORN in performing acts of piety. In the Gospel, Jesus is then challenging us to examine our INTERIOR DISPOSITION in performing our rituals of piety. These rituals must not be carried out for show or display. Otherwise, the spirit and the carrying out of the essence of the ritual will be lost in the sole concern for public recognition and appreciation.

If the “dirt” that we have on our foreheads today is meant for show that we abide by the external ritual of Catholic piety on the first day of Lent, then we don’t have our reward and recognition in heaven. Our reward is plain earthly recognition of fellow human beings. Then the mark of the ASHES on our foreheads will just be REAL DIRT that we need to wipe out and wash. It will just be seen by our Father in heaven as an empty gesture of hypocrisy. To make our external rituals of piety have their full meaningful content that will be recognized and be rewarded by the Father in heaven, let us then perform the FRUITS OF REPENTACE or CONVERSION the ashes signify.

In the Gospel today, Jesus reveals to us some of these fruits. Jesus is asking and urging us to give ALMS, to PRAY and to FAST. All of these are meant to be AVENUES for GENEROUSITY to sparkle in radiant beauty like the way how Jesus generosity in giving up himself for us on the Cross ignited the fire of salvation unto us all. Giving alms is being generous to share our material possession or wealth to those who are in financial difficulties. Praying is being generous in giving time for God in worship and devotion. Fasting is being generous in “denying” what satisfies our personal needs and wants to be able to provide satisfaction and gratification to those who are deprived, disadvantaged, and impoverished. By these acts of generosity, we shall find our heavenly reward. And the “DIRT” on our foreheads in the form of a CROSS will become a glorious beacon of being an “ANOINTED ONE” destined for HEAVEN!

LET JESUS RULE OUR LIVES!!!

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Weekday

by Lorenz S. Centino, Jr.

Luke 9: 7 - 9
7	Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead,
8	by some that Eli'jah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen.
9	Herod said, "John I beheaded; but who is this about whom I hear such things?" And he sought to see him.

---

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS:

A BLESSED THURSDAY!!!

Yesterday we remember the declaration of martial-law rule in our country. This is the time of our national history wherein the whole country is under military supremacy over the civilian which is characterized by tyranny and deception, violence and violation of human rights. This is the time of our history painted with the struggle of life against death and the struggle of freedom against oppressive dictatorship. Remembering the people’s struggle during this time is to remember the fight between good and evil, between darkness and light. It is a struggle of what is RIGHT from what is WRONG! Above all, the dictatorial rule of the martial law years is a clear manifestation how POWER CORRUPTS the human heart. Remembering this sad episode of our history is a challenge to each of us to be committed to avoid it from happening again.

The Gospel today presents to us a picture of a struggle between what is RIGHT and what is WRONG! It also reminds us of the collateral damage one should be prepared for in fighting for what is right: VIOLENCE! John the Baptist was beheaded for his firmness in denouncing what is wrong. He preached to people the demand to repent and to reform their lives. He denounced Herod and his scandalous affair with Herodias that lead to his beheading. John the Baptist simply preached that God must be the one who should RULE over one’s life.

When Herod heard news about what Jesus and his disciples were doing that stirred up the interest from the people and which made a great number of them become his followers, Herod was perplexed because of how the people consider what is going on to be the work of John the Baptist who he beheaded while others consider it to be the work of Elijah or by a prophet of old that has risen back to life. For Herod, the news would be closer to what John had been doing. And so Herod sought to see him. Herod then was not just perplexed by the news, but he could also be feeling insecure for he recognized the presence of someone among them who is powerful (giving power and authority to his followers to perform miracles) and can gain following from the people. Jesus was then a threat to his own power and authority, the way John was a threat to him. Moreover, Jesus is a threat to him for, like John, Jesus could denounce him from his evil ways.

However, the interest of Herod to see Jesus is not borne out of sincere reverence or recognition of the “work” Jesus had done but instead out of anxious-worry-driven curiosity and fear. Maybe he is bothered by the memory he had with John who denounced him resolutely. He could be feeling insecure and apprehensive to be confronted again and be challenged to change for the better. Power corrupts his heart from being open to correction. The news about what Jesus had done must have led him to CONFRONT his CONSCIENCE in fear. The irony, however, Herod will see and confront Jesus when Jesus will be brought to him to be sentenced to die the way he gave his verdict to John to be beheaded.

The Gospel today challenges us to examine the impact of Jesus to our lives. Is he a threat to us? Is he an obstacle to what we desire and want in life? Or are we interested with Jesus because he can make us whole by exorcising in us our “evil desires” by his word? Let us not be like Herod who sees nothing but his own interest to be in power and in control of himself. We should be submissive to the power and authority of Jesus and his WORD! Let Jesus be the one who RULES our minds, hearts and will.

For your personal comments, you can reach me through this email: sanolorenz@yahoo.com

FOLLOWING THE PHYSICIAN FOR HEALING!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

St. Matthew, Apostle, Evangelist (Feast)

by Lorenz S. Centino, Jr.

Matthew 9: 9 - 13
9	As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him.
10	And as he sat at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.
11	And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
12	But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
13	Go and learn what this means, `I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

---

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS:

A BLESSED WEDNESDAY TO ALL!!!

It is a very common scenario to hear negative comments made against people working in the BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue). People have biases or prejudices against them. They are always thought of being corrupt and cheaters. To be blunt, they are always suspected of stealing money from the people’s treasury. The BIR therefore is an agency that is seen negatively as a milking cow of unscrupulous people who take advantage of the people’s taxes for their own benefit and other vested interests.

The biases and prejudices we have against tax collectors are not totally different from the time of Jesus. Maybe, they were treated more harshly during the time of Jesus than today. During the time of Jesus they were treated as PUBLIC SINNERS, so being called Publicans. They are counted among the outcasts. They are despised by the people, especially by those who claimed to be religious. The Gospel today presents to us clearly this negative attitude towards them. The Pharisees are complaining and protesting why Jesus and his disciples are eating with them. To them Jesus is doing what is forbidden by their dietary laws and breaks their customary social etiquette. To them Jesus is a law-breaker.

In my reflection about the Gospel yesterday, I pointed out how Jesus broaden his idea of FAMILY that goes beyond blood relations. In today’s Gospel we further see clearly how Jesus is inviting someone to become a member to his FAMILY. What is shocking is that he is not calling someone with a very good personal background and with a good reputation in the community. He calls someone that people despised and reviled. He calls someone that the community considers to be an outcast. In short, Jesus calls someone that his community REJECTS and counts as an OUTSIDER! Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector performing his task in his own tax office, saying “Come follow me.” This invitation defines and clearly manifests the INCLUSIVE character of Jesus family. Jesus’ family is OPEN TO ALL!!! It is open both for the good and the bad, the wicked and the righteous. In a special way, as the Gospel today would highlight, Jesus is searching and inviting those who are “cast out”, the “expelled”, the “ostracized” by the community. This is so because Jesus’ family is meant to be a household for transformation where the members HEAR and ABIDE by his word.

Upon hearing Jesus’ invitation, Matthew FOLLOWS Jesus. Matthew indeed HEARS and ABIDES by Jesus’ word by responding positively to Jesus’ call and leaving behind his corrupt practices as a tax collector. Matthew took the step to become a member of Jesus’ family. It was a step to self-transformation from being corrupt and greedy to become a servant-apostle of the Lord who will sow seeds of the Lord’s message of salvation to others. Matthew follows Jesus because in him he finds CARE, LOVE and MERCY. In Jesus he finds himself whole, healed and valued.

Are we open to Jesus’ invitation to follow him with the clear purpose of opening ourselves to be HEALED from our “brokenness” or “sickness” by the healing hand and merciful heart of our Supreme Physician? Do we also take every opportunity to extend mercy to others so as to make them whole than being vindictive and unforgiving? The Lord makes this declaration, “Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7).

For your personal comments, you can reach me through this email: sanolorenz@yahoo.com

HEARERS and PRACTITIONERS OF THE WORD OF GOD!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Priest, Martyr, Paul Chong Hasang, Martyr and Their Companions, Martyrs (Memorial)

by Lorenz S. Centino, Jr.

Luke 8: 19 - 21
19	Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him for the crowd.
20	And he was told, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you."
21	But he said to them, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it."

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS:

A BLESSED TUESDAY TO ALL!!!

We Filipinos are known by our strong and close family ties. The family becomes the central consideration in almost all of our decision making. Even the crooks in society would explain and justify that they committed what is illegal for the “good” of their families. Moreover, there are those who will sacrifice their happiness, like marrying someone or pursuing one’s dreams or ambitions, just to be with the family and secure first what is beneficial and advantageous to the family. Furthermore, one will even sacrifice being close with the family physically and go abroad for work to seek good pastures that meet family needs. At the center, therefore, of the social welfare scheme or arrangement in the Filipino mind is the family. In effect, the strong family-ties among Filipinos is regarded as one of the core values in the Filipino culture. The family is often seen as the primary source of strength, the basic social unit one can resort to in times of need and predicaments. Disrespect and rudeness to any members, especially to the elders, in the family is an offence and injury to the family as a whole.

In the Gospel today, an incident is being reported that seem to go against the idea of close family ties. Jesus’ mother and brothers have a hard time getting CLOSE to Jesus because of the crowd that swarmed him. People who have the desire to be close with Jesus would have the same problem with that of his mother and brothers. And so his mother and his brothers simply send a word about their presence and their desire to see Jesus. But Jesus’ response is very shocking as it seem to be empty of respect but an act of rudeness towards his “family”, especially toward his mother. First, Jesus did not addressed his “family” but the people who where there. This seems to be very disrespectful that is amount to disregarding, ignoring and snubbing his mother and brothers who wanted to see him. Second, Jesus seems to keep his distance from his mother and brothers by not showing direct due regard and recognition of their presence. He seems to show little importance and interest for his mother and brothers. Jesus then seems to betray what is expected of him as to how he should treat his “family” with a sense of preference and affection.

Looking at what happened in a broader perspective, Jesus is defining what FAMILY means to him. In the context of the very reason why he comes and dwells among us sinners, which is the fulfillment and establishment of the coming of the Kingdom of God among us, Jesus identifies a family that goes beyond ethnic, political, cultural and blood relation. Jesus defines a family that is constituted by those who HEARS and FULFILLS the WORD of GOD. In response to what he was told about the presence of his mother and brothers Jesus said, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”  Jesus was not disrespectful, neither rude to his family. Jesus, instead, was somehow giving due credit, preferential recognition, and blissful appreciation to the highest degree about his mother and brothers. Jesus did two things by his response: informing and transforming. He informs the crowd what makes Mary and his brothers a family to him. It is not primarily by blood. They are family to him because they HEAR and FULFILL the Word of God. His response therefore was a commendation of his family rather than an indifference and rejection. As he informs, Jesus also intends to transform the crowd to become his FAMILY too. He invites and challenges them to be HEARERS and PRACTITIONERS of the Word of God. Can we count ourselves a family to Jesus? If yes, do we have a close tie with him? The Gospel today then challenges us not just be hearers of the Word but also PRACTITIONERS!!!


For your personal comments, you can reach me through this email: sanolorenz@yahoo.com

GOD'S-PURPOSE-DRIVEN-LIFE!!!

Monday, September 05, 2011

Labor Day

by Lorenz S. Centino, Jr.

Matthew 6: 31 – 34

31        Therefore do not be anxious, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?'

32        For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

33        But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.

34        "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day's own trouble be sufficient for the day.

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS:

A BLESSED MONDAY TO ALL!!!

BIRTHDAY happens once in one’s lifetime. It is celebrated and commemorated once in a year. Birthday is the most personal celebration one can have as it leads one to look not beyond oneself but rather unto oneself. It directs one’s attention not to the future but the foundation of one’s present and future. Birth is good news. Upon birth one starts a journey. Upon birthday celebrations one celebrates what has gone and re-commit to the journey of what has to come. The most common concern of this journey is being anxious about “food” to eat, what to “drink” and “wear.” Many spent almost their whole life time anxious about these concerns. These concerns blinded many to see the real purpose of life which is more than living or being alive. Birthday celebrations, as I celebrate my birthday today, are opportune times to reflect the purpose of life.

I read a quotation which says, “Wisdom doesn’t necessarily come with age. Sometimes age just shows up all by itself.” Indeed, wisdom is not parallel with the years we lived life. There are those who aged much, but have not learned to live life meaningfully. Many failed to live life meaningfully because they failed to see life’s purpose. Many have the wrong approach how to live meaningfully and with purpose. Many thought that they will find meaning as they go through with age in life, or life becoming more meaningful as they overcome one challenge or crisis after another. However, as they go through life, many have lost their spirit because they find themselves in a quagmire of challenge after another, crisis after crisis that seemed bigger than what they can handle. Many go through life with anxiety and resignation. They find life to be empty with meaning and purpose. They just find life to be about “eating” the best food that satisfy one’s taste, “drinking” anything that brings pleasure and delight and “wearing” what makes one caught people’s attention and admiration. But at the end of the day, they still find life empty.

The Gospel today presents to us the perspective God wants us to have in journeying the pilgrimage of life. This perspective provides us, first of all, the purpose of life. Life is preordained to move forward at the service of the Kingdom and the Righteousness of God. Life’s purpose is to be in the SERVICE and COMMUNION with God. Therefore, life that moves away from this direction distorts and alters its predestined orientation. And so the Lord today exhorts us who lapsed and move on along this opposite direction not to be anxious about the concerns of the morrow. Anxiety should not be about the future for God knows what we need as he created first what we need before he created us. We should be anxious rather about the present. But this anxiety should not be about ‘eating” or “drinking” or about what to “wear, rather it should be about seeking first God’s Kingdom and His Righteousness.

We are challenged, therefore, by the Gospel today to be anxious on how we can serve the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness. Having this kind of orientation each day, let us be assured that the Lord has the answer to what most are anxious about of their future. The Lord declared that if we seek first, or be anxious about, the Kingdom of God all the concerns that belong to the future will be ours as well for the Lord knows well what we need. Let us then live a God’s-purpose-driven-life, that is seeking first His Kingdom and His Righteousness and ALL shall be ours as well! TODAY what we have to be anxious about is how to CHANGE our PRIORITIES AHEAD of us according to God's PURPOSE for our LIVES!


For your personal comments, you can reach me through this email: sanolorenz@yahoo.com

WORSHIP WITHOUT CHARITY IS EMPTY PIETY!!!

Saturday, September 03, 2011

St. Gregory the Great, Pope, Doctor of the Church (Memorial)

by Lorenz S. Centino, Jr.

Luke 6: 1 - 5
1	On a sabbath, while he was going through the grainfields, his disciples plucked and ate some heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands.
2	But some of the Pharisees said, "Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the sabbath?"
3	And Jesus answered, "Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him:
4	how he entered the house of God, and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those with him?"
5	And he said to them, "The Son of man is lord of the sabbath."

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS:

A BLESSED SATURDAY TO ALL!!!

Work... work... work... work.... It appears that it is about work that which stresses both mind and body in many of us than anything else nowadays. Most of us work at least 6 and a half day in a week. There are those who would even claim that they work 8 days a week. This “work” could be anything that we do that made us achieved something out of a particular interest, or to get paid for a living, or just to express ourselves, and for whatever reason. Many are even more stressed just to find it for a living. We always seek for work because by nature every one of us is a worker—homo faber.

The Gospel today presents to us another instance that manifests the tension or conflict Jesus had with the religious leaders of his time. This particular conflict has something to do with the observance of the Sabbath. The word sabbath means or associated with resting. And so, there are those who would claim to be enjoying their “sabbatical leave”—a period of rest from their work or ministry. In the context of the encounter of Jesus and the Pharisees in the Gospel today, the sabbath refers to their weekly day of rest as part of their religious practices in observance to a requirement enshrined in the Ten Commandments of God.

The day of the Sabbath is not just meant for resting but to have a time to re-focus or re-direct one’s attention and concerns from the self to God. It is the day of the week that one will have a break from the daily concerns of living so that whatever achievements or failures, triumphs or defeats, anything can be brought to God in thanksgiving and praise. This rest day is not just to recuperate from all the energy spent in working as to recharge us to become physically strong and fit again for work but to be recharged and rejuvenated completely through a spiritual revitalization. Sabbath day is meant to commune with the source and foundation of all works, the Creator. Not only that, but also to offer and surrender all our failures and shortcomings from being a good steward of creation through work and especially humbly surrendering all our sins to the Mercy and Love of our forgiving heavenly Father.

Jesus and his disciples are condemned because they are thought to break their Sabbath Law. However, the Pharisees’ legalistic mentality blinded them to see the most important and sacred demand of God and His Law. Because of their pious legalism, that is strictly following the Law to the LETTER, they failed to observe and carry out the Law’s SPIRIT. Jesus’ recollection of how David and his men had eaten the bread of Presence reserved only for priests to eat is a way to open the eyes of the Pharisees to the SACRED DEMAND of the Sabbath, and any Law they strictly and blindly follow. Any law is made for man and not to make man its blind slave. Every law has the spirit to secure for the GOOD of man. When Jesus and his disciples pluck and eat heads of grain, Jesus catechized and reoriented the Pharisees to realize that human NEEDS take priority over pious legalism. David and his men must have understood that rituals and rules take a back seat when human needs arise.

The Gospel today reminds us of what God truly desires from us. It is not so much the offerings and sacrifices we render to him but acts of MERCY (Matthew 9:13). The fruit of worship is CHARITY! If we worship without being charitable, especially to those in need, what we render to God would just be empty-rituals, an empty piety.

For your personal comments, you can reach me through this email: sanolorenz@yahoo.com

NEW WINESKIN, NEW PERSPECTIVE!!!

Friday, September 02, 2011

Votive Mass of the Sacred Heart

by Lorenz S. Centino, Jr.

Luke 5: 33 - 39
33	And 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."
34	And Jesus said to them, "Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?
35	The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days."
36	He 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.
37	And 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.
38	But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.
39	And no one after drinking old wine desires new; for he says, `The old is good.'"

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS:

A BLESSED FRIDAY TO ALL!!!

Misunderstanding would often result from the difference of perspective and context of the people involved. People can be viewing or talking about one and the same reality but could not reach an agreement or a common ground for understanding because they are wide apart from each other in terms of viewpoints. As often used by many to illustrate a point, people can view a glass with water in it differently. One will see it as a half-empty glass, while the other one will view it as a half-full glass of water. Many would look at this as a representation of the two attitudes of men/women to life: the optimist and pessimist. How we view things or reality in general is influenced and determined by our particular worldview in looking at reality. Having a new perspective is having a new way of looking at anything.

There are people who criticize Jesus and his disciples because they don’t fast and pray like the disciples of John and of the Pharisees. They question the way Jesus and his disciples always having fellowships, most of the time, if not all the times, with sinners and outcasts. Jesus and his disciples always share a meal with them rather than fasting and praying with them. In fact Jesus and his disciples were accused of being a group of drunkards and gluttons (see Matthew 11:18-19, Luke 7:33-34).

These critics of Jesus have such protest not because they really want to stress the value of prayer and fasting. They are driven by a particular viewpoint that make them not to understand what Jesus is doing and teaching. They are blind from seeing the whole import and meaning of Jesus’ works and his own being. Jesus doesn’t fit into their framework of mind as to who the Messiah is for them. For them Jesus is an impostor or fraud claimant of being the savior. This makes them to just dislike anything and everything about Jesus that they become inconsistent and contradictory in some of their accusation against Jesus. In today’s Gospel, they praise John the Baptist’s practice of fasting and prayer. Yet in another instance Jesus unravel their inconsistency when Jesus chastised them saying, “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners" (Matthew 11:18-19 and Luke 7:33-34). They always view Jesus negatively and disapprovingly!

Through a parable Jesus addresses his critics to have change of mind and heart so they will have a new way of understanding and relating with him and with others. His parable of the new wineskin and new garment addresses the hypocrisy and blindness or close-mindedness of his critics. This imagery about wine and wineskins is a familiar day to day experience of his listeners. They don’t use bottles as we use them today for our wines. They put and store wines in wineskins. New wines are secured in new wineskins that can withstand the pressures and demands of fermentation as old wineskins can easily rupture and split open due to its stiffness and inflexibility to resist the pressure of fermentation.

Jesus continue to challenge us today, as he challenged his listeners before, to set aside and give up whatever inflexible and stiff ways we have in looking at him which blinded and hindered us to see him as to who he really is. We should put on a new perspective in dealing and understanding Jesus. We should take Jesus’ own perspective, not ours or the world’s. And once our hearts and minds are fermented according to the perspective of Jesus, then we will no longer desire for something new just like those who have a taste of the old wine will never desire for a new one. To have Jesus’ perspective is to be open to the revelation of Jesus about himself in the Bible through the guidance of the steward of the Word of God, the Church. Do we still listen to the Church? Do we have the openness of heart and mind to hear the Word of God among the many voices in the world that are overshadowing and obscuring God’s voice? Let us be shaped by God’s Word and not be misled and deceived by the purely secular philosophies of the world.

For your personal comments, you can reach me through this email: sanolorenz@yahoo.com