A pastoral or diocesan council that produces glowing mission statements about communal responsibility and decision-making but is ruled by a heavy-handed, authoritarian pastor or bishop is an old wineskin.īishops who produce documents and manuals outlining sexual abuse protocols while maintaining a culture of clerical protectionism are an old wineskin.Įfforts to promote a new evangelization that focuses on doctrinal judgment rather than the joy of a personal relationship with our loving God are an old wineskin. Unfortunately, the new Roman Missal followed closely on the heels of this sad debacle. The renewal became more about scolding us for misdemeanours than about promoting the beauty of the liturgy. Apparently, we were even guilty of passing around the collection basket in an unliturgical manner. Liturgical postures became the defining sign of whether a parish was being obedient to the new directives. In reality, we were given an obsessive and unbelievably petty list of liturgical do's and don'ts. Several years ago, our archdiocese undertook a much-ballyhooed "liturgical renewal." We were assured these efforts would revitalize our liturgical experience and promote unity among our parish communities. New wine in new wineskins is a brilliant Gospel image, one too often overlooked in various "renewal" programs in our church. Don't be afraid of that! Don't be afraid of the newness of the Gospel! Don't be afraid of the newness that the Holy Spirit works in us! Don't be afraid of the renewal of structures!" And so the Church always goes forward, giving space to the Holy Spirit that renews these structures, structures of the churches. Entering into the Church and receiving Baptism. The Church has always done this! From the very first moment, we remember the first theological battle: was it necessary to carry out all of the Jewish practices in order to be Christian? No! They said no! The gentiles could enter as they are: gentiles. It always allows itself to be renewed according to places, times, and persons. "In the Christian life, even in the life of the Church, there are old structures, passing structures: it is necessary to renew them! And the Church has always been attentive to this, with dialogue with cultures. The newness, he said, is rooted in the newness of the Gospel that "goes beyond us." It renews us and "renews the structures." Vatican Radio published excerpts from his homily: Pope Francis spoke of the need for new wineskins during Mass on Saturday at Casa Santa Marta. Rather, they pour new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved." (Matthew 9:17) Otherwise the skins bursts, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. "People do not put new wine into old wineskins.
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