22nd Week in Ordinary Time

After proclaiming Scripture in the synagogue, Jesus said that Israel didn’t have an exclusive claim on God’s favor. That got the carpenter’s Son driven out of town. Jesus went to Capernaum, where people recognized the authority of His teaching and witnessed the power of His words when He expelled an unclean spirit. Washing empty nets after a frustrating night out fishing, Peter (the expert fisherman) didn’t hide his skepticism when Jesus advised going back out. Two boatloads of fish later, Peter knew his unworthiness, listened as Jesus calmed his fear, and left everything to join the Lord in drawing people into faith. When has the Word poured into us made us feel like an old wineskin filled almost to bursting with new, fermenting wine?