Today's Gospel in Art - Nobody puts new wine into old wineskins

Don't put new wine into old wineskins, by Nicole Murray, 2014 © Nicole Murray Art, Australia

Gospel of 20th January 2020 - Mark 2:18-22

One day when John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, some people came to Jesus and said to him, 'Why is it that John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?' Jesus replied, 'Surely the bridegroom's attendants would never think of fasting while the bridegroom is still with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they could not think of fasting. But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then, on that day, they will fast. No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak; if he does, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse. And nobody puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the skins too. No! New wine, fresh skins!'

Reflection on the Painting

In today's Gospel reading, we hear about the disciples of John the Baptist being upset with Jesus' disciples because they did not fast. Fasting was one of the three most important religious duties, along with prayer and almsgiving. Jesus is giving a simple explanation: there is a time for fasting and a time for feasting (or celebrating). Jesus wants us to understand that to walk with Him as a disciple, is to experience a joyful relationship which is similar to that of a wedding party, where we celebrate with the groom and bride their wedding bliss. But there also comes a time when we must bear our crosses. To be a true disciple of Christ means there is a time for rejoicing in the Lord's presence and a time for seeking the Lord with humility, through fasting.....

To read on see: https://christianart.today/reading.php?id=302

Tags: Christian Art Today, Patrick van der Vorst, Wineskins, Nicole Murray