Homily for Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Lent

Throughout His ministry, Jesus used powerful imagery to emphasize what is essential in life. In all three synoptic Gospels, He compared His ministry to new wine, stating that this new wine required new wineskins; otherwise, the skins would burst. This metaphor suggests that a new approach is necessary rather than sticking to traditional methods.

At the same time, Jesus deeply respected tradition, especially His Jewish heritage and the Scriptures that nourished and inspired Him. In the Sermon on the Mount, He declared that He had come not to abolish the Law and the prophets but to fulfill them. Jesus did not intend to start from scratch; He valued Jewish tradition immensely and aimed to enhance it, bringing forth greater richness and fullness. His goal was to renew Israel's tradition rather than discard it.

Jesus' approach indicates that we should neither abandon our religious traditions nor idolize them as absolute rules and dogmas. Instead, the renewal process involves honoring the best aspects of our tradition, allowing its rich potential to be fully realized, and being open to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to guide us in new directions.