Reading 1
Col 1:15-20
Brothers and sisters:
Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn of all creation.
For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers;
all things were created through him and for him.
He is before all things,
and in him all things hold together.
He is the head of the Body, the Church.
He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,
that in all things he himself might be preeminent.
For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell,
and through him to reconcile all things for him,
making peace by the Blood of his cross
through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 100:1b-2, 3, 4, 5R. (2b)
Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.
Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R. Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
his courts with praise;
Give thanks to him; bless his name.
R. Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.
For he is good,
the LORD, whose kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R. Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.
Gospel
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."
Meditation: Colossians 1:15-20
In him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:17)
What a beautiful reflection Paul writes here about how central Jesus is to our lives! Image of the invisible God. Firstborn of all creation. He is above all things and has the place of preeminence over all creation. He is the overarching presence in the universe that holds everything together. Pondering these passages is enough to make our hearts soar!
Paul is telling us here that Jesus holds our lives secure. He is telling us that Jesus holds us in the palm of his hand. He is also telling us that without Jesus holding everything together, the world would very quickly spin into greater and greater chaos.
So what should we say when circumstances make it look like the world is falling apart? What should we think when chaos seems dominant? Recent history is full of such examples. We have seen devastation wrought by earthquakes, tornadoes, and tsunamis. We have seen lives upended by flooding, war, and terrorist attacks. Perhaps you have suffered through a tragedy that has turned your life and your family into chaos. Considering all this chaos can make us wonder whether Jesus has abandoned us or if he is still holding everything together.
Rather than try to answer these broad, global questions, let’s focus today on a more personal approach. We will never know why tragedy still exists in God’s good creation. We may never be able to control the external forces of nature, or the deranged ideologies of terrorists. But we can control the way we respond when tragedy strikes. As we cling to the Lord in the midst of upheavals, we will discover that what he really holds together is … us! We can choose to trust in God—even against all logic. And if we do, we can give witness to a wavering world. Our example can even help other people hold themselves together!
So whenever chaos approaches, try your best to face it in faith. Open yourself to the Holy Spirit. Let him become your foundation stone, even if everything around you appears to be falling apart. He can give you the grace and peace you need. And then your certainty can bring hope to anyone around you who is troubled!
“Jesus, I believe you are above all things. Fill me with faith so that even if everything around me is shaking, you hold me secure!”
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