Putting on the New – Doing God’s Will
theophilus January 21st, 2008
There seem to be two messages in today’s readings – one about doing God’s will, the other about discarding the old and putting on the new. But, aren’t both messages part of each other?
In today’s first reading from 1 Samuel 15, King Saul is taken to task by the prophet Samuel for not completing the job God had given to him (i.e. completely defeating the Amalekites). Saul completed only half the job and the consequences were severe – “Because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he, too has rejected you as ruler.”
In today’s gospel from Mark 2, Christ discusses the old v. new cloaks and the old v. new wineskins. We best not mend “old cloaks” or use “old wineskins”. Instead, we need to put on new cloaks and use new wineskins. In other words, we must cast off our old way of doing things (that is, if we are not doing God’s will) and start doing things a new way (i.e. God’s way).
If we are like Saul and we are not doing God’s will and following Christ’s path (or doing so only half-way) then we have to cast off this old way of doing things – this old way of thinking. It’s simply not good enough. We need to put on the new cloaks and use the new wineskins by doing and thinking in a new way – by doing and thinking in accordance with God’s will for us.
St. Agnes, whose life the church commemorates today, understood this concept. She lived in a time when Christianity was still the new kid on the block. She was being forced to conform to the old way of doing things. She refused – and was martyred for her beliefs. She understood the new way – she understood God’s will for her – and she conformed to God’s will completely – no half-efforts.
May we always emulate her example.
Painting: Madonna and Child with St. Martina and St. Agnes, El Greco (1541-1614)
- God's Call , Jesus , Liturgy , Saints
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