NEW WINE INTO OLD WINESKINS: Part Two (Conclusion)

Funny, until Pope Francis, I never really considered myself to be an old wineskin. 

But, in his words and by his actions, the Holy Father has certainly challenged me and the Church to understand how our lives are “wineskins” for the new wine of Christ Jesus.

Francis is calling me and all of us to a fundamental conversion of mind and heart, to let the new wine renew and transform, not just the obviously religious parts of life, but everything.

I confess that I tend to be quite conservative, not only when it comes to theology, but also in my personal habits and preferences.  I don’t think I’m rigid in my beliefs.  But, I do find myself approaching new ideas and suggestions from a decidedly conservative point of view. 

And so it is that I have always found it challenging to surrender myself with what is unfamiliar and unpredictable.  I am most comfortable with what I’ve been told is sure and certain, clear and uncompromising. 

Thus, I find Pope Francis 'new model of the Church as a “field hospital”, his pastoral approach in Amoris Laetitia, and much of his rhetoric about “accompaniment” and “journeying” a bit unsettling and definitely challenging.

One thing I am sure of is this:  Pope Francis message certainly is new wine!  What I have been asking myself a lot lately is this:  am I an old wineskin? 

I don’t want to be. 

But how am I to accept Francis call to a new paradigm for the Church, for the Sacraments, and especially regarding my Priesthood? 

It’s not that I reject what the Holy Father is teaching.  It’s that I find myself mentally resisting, or at least in a state of tension, torn between what I had been taught and assured was true Catholic teaching and what the Holy Father has stated is a rigorism which undermines the Salvific Mission of the Church.

In many ways, I find what the Holy Father has said about the preeminence of the human conscience to be an affirmation of what I have believed.  In other ways, I am confused about the moral priorities he has indicated should govern my religious thoughts and actions:  globalization, the environment, immigration, as well as a host of social issues and concerns.

In the end, I guess my challenge will be the same as yours:  to surrender the old self (the old wineskin) to the ever-relevant and ever-saving Gospel of Jesus Christ (the ever-new wine).

Cardinals, Bishops, theologians, philosophers and the learned men in their company love to speak in terms of absolutes.  Absolute truths.  Absolute norms.  Absolute allegiance.

Pope Francis challenges us to understand that there is only one absolute:  the Mercy of God for sinners.  I know that if I focus my attention on this Absolute, surrendering all the pre-conceived, familiar and comfortable absolutes of my old wineskin conservative self will be easier.  Not easy, but easier.

Deep down, I believe the Holy Spirit is at work in this Church I love.  Even now, when the chasms and the controversies are so apparent, the Spirit is calling each and all of us to unity in our trust and hope that Jesus is indeed the Merciful Savior of sinners.

So, God bless you, Pope Francis.  This old wineskin wishes to be transformed into the new wineskin which not just carries the fullness of Christ’s love but pours that love into the cups of all those seeking refreshment and nourishment from the Divine Savior. 

Lord Jesus, help me, help all Your Church to be the worthy vessel of Your Compassion and Mercy.