HUMILITY IS WHAT MAKES A HEART NEW | “In today’s Gospel, the disciples of John ask Jesus, “Why do we fast, but your disciples do not?”
They were puzzled because Jesus did not fit their expectations. They were accustomed to old ways of doing things, but Jesus was introducing something new. That is why He speaks about new wine that must be poured into fresh wineskins.
The Lord is teaching us that if God wants to do something new in our lives, we need hearts that are open and ready to receive Him.
This Gospel is very relevant to our world today. Let me offer three simple lessons.
First, do not reject something simply because it is new.
Sometimes we become so attached to familiar ways that we resist every change.
But throughout salvation history, God has always done new things. He called Abraham to leave his homeland. He chose David, the youngest shepherd boy, to become king. He sent His Son in a way no one expected, not as a powerful ruler but as a humble child in Bethlehem.
God is always creative.
The Church must never change the Gospel, but we must always find new ways to bring the Gospel to today’s world. Every generation needs to hear the same Good News in a language they can understand.
Second, do not accept something simply because it is new.
Not everything modern is good.
Today we are flooded with information. Every day social media, videos, influencers, and artificial intelligence tell us what to think, what to buy, whom to admire, and even what to believe.
The newest opinion is not always the truest opinion.
As St. Paul reminds us, “Test everything; hold fast to what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
As Christians, we should never allow trends or algorithms to form our conscience. God’s Word must always remain our guide.
Third, ask God to make your heart a fresh wineskin.
The real issue is not whether something is old or new. The real question is whether our hearts remain open to God.
Sometimes the oldest thing in our lives is not our age but our attitude. We stop listening. We refuse correction. We think we already know everything.
Humility is what makes a heart new. A humble person can always say, “Lord, teach me. Help me grow. Show me where I need to change.”
Every day God wants to pour into us new wine—new hope, new courage, new wisdom, and new love. But He can only do that if our hearts remain open.
A beautiful story is told about the famous cellist Pablo Casals. Even when he was more than ninety years old and already recognized as one of the greatest musicians in the world, a reporter asked him, “Mr. Casals, why do you still practice several hours every day?”
He smiled and answered, “Because I think I’m still making progress.”
What a beautiful attitude. Imagine if every Christian lived that way. Imagine if every husband and wife said, “I can still become a better spouse.” Imagine if every parent said, “I can still become a better father or mother.” Imagine if every priest, bishop, public servant, teacher, or student said, “Lord, I still have much to learn.”
That is what Jesus is asking of us today. Never let your heart become an old wineskin. Remain humble. Remain teachable. Remain open.
Then God will continue to pour into your life the new wine of His grace, and through you, He will renew our families, our Church, and even our nation.”