“It does not concern me in the least that I be judged by you or any human tribunal.”
Aren’t these words awesome in the first reading for Mass today? These words are emotionally and spiritually freeing. A lot of people feel like there is someone, or perhaps more than one person, who ‘judges’ them. They feel like they have been judged by their lifestyle, their past sins, what they did or did not do, etc. Many people feel like no matter what they do, they just don’t measure up to what other people expect from them. This is especially true in our families, extended families and sometimes the members of the church itself. That is why the last part of the first reading for Mass is so beautiful:
“Therefore, do not make any judgement before the appointed time, until the Lord comes, for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will manifest the motives of our hearts…”
We need to just give it to the Lord Jesus and trust in Him, that he knows the truth of our lives. He alone has the right to judge us. Just because we fail to live up to someone else’s expectations of us, does not mean that we have failed to live up to what Christ expects from us. Anytime you live by your heart, it will offend other people. If this happens to you, just let it go, give it to the Lord and go on with your life. It is much better to offend another person than to offend God. We want to be pleasing to God, and to the Lord Jesus, rather than be concerned about the fluctuating feelings of those around us.
The gospel today also talks about a fresh new beginning. The scriptures are about Jesus’s disciples who were not fasting. The Pharisees demanded to know why they were not obeying the rules of their faith?
Isn’t that pretty typical of the Pharisees? Their whole way of life reflected the fact that they had lost sight of what their faith in God was really all about. God is love and we are called to love, the way that He does, and the way that His son Jesus does. The Pharisees were constantly concerned about the rules, finding fault and judging other people, and looking as if they were holy to their peers and those beneath them. They were all about the rules.
Jesus came to change all of that. He even illustrates this new focus on love in today ‘s gospel, by the words he used when he called his disciples ‘wedding guests’ and himself ‘the bridegroom’. His new covenant with God’s people would be one of love.
Jesus Christ built the very foundation of his church on love. Whether we are a man or woman, we are in a sense Christ’s bride. Jesus loves us and cares for us, just like a groom loves his bride. We are in a sense married to him, and he is married to us, in a bond of love that will last forever. Love is the only thing that lasts, the only thing that endures into eternity. Christ’s love for us is eternal. He will never stop loving us, no matter what, as long as we never walk away from him.
Jesus formed a new covenant through the bonds of love. When he gave his final act of love for his people and died for our sins, he said his disciples would fast then. They would grieve and fast out of love for him then.
But, he basically said that just for today, he wanted to let his disciples have their enjoyment. Life is short and there was going to be plenty of grief in the future, but for right now, his disciples should enjoy life a little bit while they still could. Jesus knew the big picture and the Pharisees did not.
The fresh wineskins of today’s gospel can be lived out in so many ways. Christianity itself was a fresh wineskin that Jesus poured into God’s people. The wine of love turned into a wellspring of joy.
As we go about our day today, maybe we could do the same in a smaller way. Look for moments of pleasure, happiness and joy. We should allow ourselves the freedom to experience a little happiness.
Maybe it would be possible to spend your lunch break in the park, watch the sunset tonight, have a nice dinner with those you love, or just remember the little things that you used to enjoy that made you happy and seek a way to do those things once again.
Life is so short and these precious moments can slip away from us so quickly. Jesus really does not want to impose a bunch of rules on us, or restrict our happiness in life too much.
He took up for his disciples’ right to a little happiness in life in today’s gospel, so he certainly wants us to be happy and enjoy life a little too.
Live a little today! It might just give you a fresh, new attitude about your life. All work and no play is not good for anyone.
Daily Mass Readings:
1 Corinthians 4: 1-5 / Psalm 37 / Luke 5: 33-39
