As we reflect on the Word of God contained in today’s Holy Mass, we find a unifying theme: trust. In the first reading from 1 Corinthians, Paul underscores the essential quality of trustworthiness in the life of a servant of Christ. He speaks of being a steward of the mysteries of God, a role that comes with a profound responsibility. Trust is not simply about being reliable; it is about being faithful to the mission that God has entrusted to us.
Paul writes, “It is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.” Trustworthiness forms the foundation upon which our relationships with both God and each other are built. When we are trustworthy, we not only affirm our commitment to God's will but also invite others to invest their faith in us. In a world where trust often seems fragile, being steadfast stewards of our relationships—both divine and human—reveals the presence of God’s grace working through us.
Consider, too, the Gospel from Luke. Here, Jesus speaks to the Pharisees about the nature of his ministry, drawing our attention to the concept of newness—new wine in fresh wineskins, a metaphor rich with meaning. Jesus challenges the established norms and invites us to embrace something transformative and innovative, for he is creating all things anew. However, this transformation requires both inner and outer trust.
Trusting in God’s call means we must be willing to let go of the old ways that no longer serve us and embrace the new - even when it feels uncomfortable. Just as the old wineskins cannot contain the new wine, our old patterns of thinking and behaving, limited by lack of faith or skepticism, cannot encompass the profound working of God's love. To build trust, we must be open to change. Now when I say “change”, I don’t mean changing God’s eternal laws, but just the way we sometimes imprison ourselves within the scruples of trying to make sure we are living those laws. Again, what do I mean? I mean, for the Jews, keeping holy the Sabbath and resting, was a very problematic law to abide by as doing laundry, cooking, and even walking… yes, walking too long a distance was considered “work” and thereby violated the Sabbath in their view. Even healing was outlawed.
Calling a doctor was impossible. Hence, it is these confines which we created for ourselves that need to be open to change… change meaning, going back to the original spirit with which God intended things. This is why Jesus rails against divorce for example, “for it was not so from the beginning.” So too the proper understanding of the Sabbath as an aid to man, not as something which would cause additional burdens to be laid on the shoulders of his people. So Jesus would remind them, “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.” Hence, we need to revert back to the ways of God’s true spirit and intentions. This is the change we seek, but with a twist—that while we do so, we do so in the light of Christ’s teachings. Jesus wasn’t trying to lax the law. In fact, now, “if you even look at a woman with lust in your heart, you will be committing adultery,” and, “Anyone who has hatred towards his brother is guilty of murder.” Yet, behind even these seemingly stringent applications of the law, is the more crucial gift of freedom. We are not to hate, or to lust, so as to remain free in heart, mind and soul, and hence this too is the true spirit of rest which God wishes for us.
Building trust in our relationship with God, then, requires us to engage in a few simple yet profound practices. First, we must be honest—both with ourselves and with God. Paul reminds us that self-judgment is not our business; we are called to be transparent before the Lord, who knows our hearts. In keeping clear communication and acknowledging our vulnerabilities, we develop an authentic relationship rooted in trust.
Second, we must cultivate a sense of humility. When Jesus speaks about the disciples being present with the “bridegroom,” he emphasizes that true joy and communion are born out of presence. To trust God means recognizing that His presence is paramount, and interacting with Him requires our readiness to believe and to surrender our concerns.
Lastly, let us be patient. Building trust takes time—time to deepen our relationship with God and others, time to allow the fruits of this trust to blossom. Just as the process of fermentation is necessary for the new wine to develop, so too must we allow God’s work in us—and through us—to take shape.
As we move through life, let us strive to embody the kind of trust that reflects the heart of Jesus, whose newness invites all to be transformed. Let each of us, whether we are teachers, leaders, friends, or servants, commit to being trustworthy stewards of God’s mysteries. Let the love we have for God and each other serve as the foundation of relationships that are strong, vibrant, and life-giving and always, always, rooted in the eternal truths which God has given to guide us.
May we remember that in trusting God wholly, we unlock the potential for deeper connections with each other, and in doing so, we reflect the trustworthiness of our Creator, who loves us unconditionally.
Our Lady, who trusted God in all things, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Amen.
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