Gospel: Matthew 9:14-15
The disciples of John approached Jesus and
said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?”
Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is
with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and
then they will fast.”
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
The disciples of John interpreted the literal
meaning of fasting when they asked Jesus this question: “Why are your disciples
not fasting? Then Jesus replied in a meaningful way when He said: “Can
the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? Of course His
disciples were not literally fasting or denying themselves food because He was
with them.
We have here the question about literal
fasting or fasting that is seen which the disciples of John and the Pharisees
were doing. Jesus disciples were obviously not doing this kind of fasting they
were in fact joyous because Jesus was with them.
Therefore, they were not fasting, but they
were actually doing and sharing with the mission of Jesus. The question now is,
which is more important to fast or to share in the mission of Jesus? Of course
it’s to share in the mission of Jesus.
In this gospel episode perhaps Jesus wants to
open our eyes to the fact that true fasting is much more than just our willing
abstention from food. True fasting is when we learn to give a part of ourselves
so that others may live, have life and know Jesus through us. – Marino J.
Dasmarinas
No comments:
Post a Comment