ACC ~ Mark 2 v18 - 22

OVERVIEW:

New wine symbolizes the good news that cannot be compressed into the prevailing categories of the previous history of revelation (TERTULLIAN). The new wine of the kingdom expresses itself through faith active in love (BEDE). Those who continue to wear the old garment of self-indulgence have not yet understood servanthood, which is the defining garment of the new era (CHRYSOSTOM). The mystical marriage for which this new wine is an accompanying symbol is that time and occasion when, through the mystery of the incarnation, Christ joins the church to himself; during that treasured moment it would be unfitting to weep while God is dwelling among us in the flesh (GREGORY NAZIANZEN). Truly to fast is to refrain from vice (PSEUDO-BASIL). It is not whether one eats and drinks, but whether one does so in moderation or excess, that indicates one’s good temperament within the reign of God (PALLADIUS).

2:18 | Your Disciples Do Not Fast

TRUE FASTING

BASIL: Take heed that you do not make fasting to consist only in abstinence from meats. True fasting is to refrain from vice. Shred to pieces all your unjust contracts. Pardon your neighbors. Forgive them their trespasses. HOMILY 1, ON FASTING. [1]

[1] TLG 2040.020, 31.181.17-21; GMI 52*.

2:19 | Can the Wedding Guests Fast While the Bridegroom Is with Them?

NOT BY BREAD ALONE

PSEUDO-BASIL [1] : True death is not a result of hunger for bread nor a result of thirst for this tangible water, but as a result of a hunger for hearing the word of the Lord. True death arises in the souls of those who do not hear. For one does “not live by bread alone, but by every word coming out through the mouth of God.” [2] This is why … the attendants of the bridegroom cannot fast as long as the bridegroom is with them. COMMENTARY ON THE PROPHET ISAIAH. [3]

[1] Doubtful authorship.

[2] Cf. Mt 4:4; Lk 4:4.

[3] TLG 2040.009, 5.165.29-33, 37-38.

THE BLESSING OF MODERATION

PALLADIUS: It is better to drink wine in moderation than to drink water in excess. Some who are holy drink wine in moderation. Some who squander water immoderately may be depraved and pleasure-loving. So it appears to me. Do not therefore ascribe blame or praise to the eating of food as such, or to the drinking of wine, but rather to those who make proper or improper use of food and drink. Recall Joseph who in patriarchal times drank wine with the Egyptians and was in no way injured in his judgment, having taken heed to the admonitions of his conscience. But then compare the sorrier examples of Pythagoras, Diogenes and Plato, and with them also the Manichaeans, and other sects of philosophers, who did not heed these admonitions. Some of them came to such a pitch of sensuality or pride that they even forgot the God of the universe and worshiped lifeless images. So the blessed Apostle Peter and those who were with him did not hesitate to receive wine and make use of it. It was just because of this that our Lord’s detractors actively reproached the redeemer of all and their teacher, and made complaints against him, saying, “Why do not your disciples fast like John?” [1] LAUSIAC HISTORY. [2]

[1] Mt 9:14; Mk 2:18; Lk 5:33.

[2] TLG 2111.001, 10.4-11.9; PHF 1:85**.

NO TIME TO MOURN

GREGORY NAZIANZEN: Can the children of the bridechamber fast while the bridegroom is present? [1] Why should they keep a bodily fast who are effectively cleansed by the Word, who came in bodily form as visible Word? The time of his sojourning among us was not one of mourning, but gladness. ORATION 30, ON THE SON 10. [2]

[1] Cf. Mt 9:15; Lk 5:34. Is it fitting to mourn in the presence of the living Word?

[2] TLG 2022.210, 10.10-14; LCC 3:183*.

THE PRESENCE OF THE BRIDEGROOM

BEDE: From the time that the incarnation of our Savior was first promised to the patriarchs, it was always awaited by many upright souls with tears and mourning—until he came. From that time when, after his resurrection, he ascended to heaven, all the hope of the saints hangs upon his return. It was at the time when he was keeping company with humanity that his presence was to be celebrated. Then it would have been unfitting to weep and mourn. For like the bride, she had him with her bodily whom she loved spiritually. Therefore the bridegroom is Christ, the bride is the church, and the friends of the bridegroom [1] and of the marriage are each and every one of his faithful companions. The time of his marriage is that time when, through the mystery of the incarnation, he is joining the holy church to himself. [2] Thus it was not by chance, but for the sake of a certain mystical meaning that he came to a marriage ceremony on earth in the customary fleshly way, [3] since he descended from heaven to earth in order to wed the church to himself in spiritual love. His nuptial chamber was the womb of his virgin mother. There God was conjoined with human nature. From there he came forth like a bridegroom to join the church to himself. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 1.14. [4]

[1] Mt 9:15; Lk 5:34.

[2] Cf. Rev 19:7.

[3] Cf. Jn 2:1-12.

[4] Cetedoc 1367, 1.14.24; HOG 1:135**.

2:21 | Unshrunk Cloth on an Old Garment

RESISTANCE TO SERVANTHOOD

CHRYSOSTOM: The souls of some are like an old garment, an old wineskin—not as yet renewed by faith. Not yet renovated in the grace of the Spirit, they remain weak and earthly. All their affections are turned toward this life, fluttering after worldly show, loving a glory that is ephemeral. If such a soul should incidentally hear that if he became a Christian he would immediately become like a servant, as if he had a manacle on his foot, he would recoil with indignity and horror from the word as preached. CONCERNING THE STATUES, HOMILY 16.9. [1]

[1] TLG 2062. 024, 49.167.10-18; NPNF 1 9:449*.

INWARD AND OUTWARD GLADDENING

BEDE: By wine we are refreshed inwardly. By a garment we are outwardly covered. Both relate to the dynamics of spiritual life. The garment indicates good works performed outwardly in order to shine in the sight of the world. By wine and new wine we mean that fervor of faith, hope and love by means of which, in the sight of our maker, our souls are recovered inwardly to newness of spirit. EXPOSITION ON THE GOSPEL OF MARK 1.2.24. [1]

[1] Cetedoc 1355, 1.2.955; CCL 120:462; GMI 53-54*. The inward wine of newness of spirit expresses itself in the outward garment of faith active in works.

2:22 | The New Wine in New Wineskins

THE NEW CONDITIONS OF GRACE

TERTULLIAN: He has prescribed for his new disciples of the New Testament a new form of prayer. For this it was fitting that new wine be stored in new wine skins and that a new patch be sewed upon a new garment. [1] What had prevailed in days gone by was either abolished, like circumcision, or completed, like the rest of the law, or fulfilled, like the prophecies, or brought to its perfection, like faith itself. Everything has been changed from carnal to spiritual by the new grace of God which, with the coming of the gospel, has wiped out the old era completely. ON PRAYER 1. [2]

[1] Mt 9:16-17; Mk 2:21-22; Lk 5:36-38.

[2] Cetedoc 0007, 1.2; FC 40:157-58*.