The New Wine of Mercy: Stewards of God’s Mysteries

1Cor 4:1-5, Psalm: 36, Lk 5:33-39

My dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

The Word of God today invites us to reflect on the nature of our calling and the posture of our hearts. Saint Paul speaks of being “stewards of the mysteries of God,” and Jesus teaches about the new wine that cannot be contained in old wineskins. Both readings challenge us to examine our attachments and to trust in the newness that God is bringing into our lives.

In the First Letter to the Corinthians, Paul writes, “Thus should one regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” He warns against passing judgment prematurely: “Do not make any judgment before the appointed time, until the Lord comes.” Paul understands that our role is not to judge, but to serve. We are not the masters of the mysteries; we are the stewards. We are not the judges; we are the servants. This requires humility, patience, and a deep trust in the Lord who will reveal what is hidden in the darkness.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is questioned about fasting. He responds with a parable: “No one tears a piece from a new garment to patch an old one. Otherwise, he will both tear the new and the piece from the new will not match the old. Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined.” The new wine represents the newness of the Gospel—the joy of the Kingdom, the freedom of the Spirit, the radical love of Christ. The old wineskins represent the old ways of legalism, rigidity, and self-righteousness. The Gospel cannot be contained in the old structures of human pride and control.

The connection between the readings is the call to trust in God’s newness. Paul urges us not to judge prematurely, because we do not yet see the full picture. Jesus urges us not to cling to the old, because the new wine of the Gospel demands a new heart. We are called to be faithful stewards of God’s mysteries, not judges of others. We are called to embrace the new wine of the Gospel, not cling to the old wineskins of our comfort.

Pope Francis has said, “The Gospel is always new. It cannot be locked in the past. It must be lived in the present.” Saint John Chrysostom, reflecting on the role of stewards, wrote, “The steward does not own the goods; he administers them. He must be faithful to the master’s will.” And Saint Augustine, contemplating the new wine, wrote, “The Lord pours new wine into a new heart. Let us not be afraid to be made new.”

What does this mean for us? We are called to be stewards of the mysteries of God, not judges of others. We are called to embrace the newness of the Gospel, not cling to the old wineskins of our comfort. We are called to trust that the Lord will reveal what is hidden, and to live with the humility and openness of servants.

This week, let us examine our hearts. Where are we clinging to old wineskins? Where are we judging others prematurely? Let us ask for the grace to be faithful stewards, to embrace the newness of the Gospel, and to trust in the Lord who makes all things new. Amen.

May God bless you all!