The Gospel according to Luke (Lk 5:33-39)

The scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, "The disciples of John the Baptist fast often and offer prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same; but yours eat and drink." Jesus answered them, "Can you make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days."

And he also told them a parable. "No one tears a piece from a new cloak to patch an old one. Otherwise, he will tear the new and the piece from it will not match the old cloak. Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined. Rather, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins.

And no one who has been drinking old wine desires new, for he says, 'The old is good.'"

Reflection

With this parable, Jesus talks about the difference between the inside and the outside of oneself.

When you look in the mirror, you can see what you look like on the outside. Your reflection reveals to you how people can visibly see you; you can check what you are wearing is not horrendous and make yourself look presentable. But, how can you see what is inside you? How can you see what needs to be done or what needs to change inside you?

When you look at the Holy Eucharist, Jesus can see what you look like in the inside. His reflection can reveal to you how you are on the inside; He checks your soul and if it’s covered in dirt He can wash it away to make you presentable as an offering.

So, what does your reflection reveal?