Reflection for February 20 Friday after Ash Wednesday: Matthew 9:14-15

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.”

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Reflection:

Do we practice fasting?

When the disciples of John asked Jesus, “Why are your disciples not fasting?” they were thinking of fasting in its literal sense — abstaining from food as a visible religious practice. But Jesus responded in a deeper and more meaningful way when He said, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?” While He was with them, His disciples were not fasting in the literal sense, because their hearts were filled with joy in His presence.

In this moment, we are invited to see something deeper. The disciples of John and the Pharisees practiced fasting that could be seen outwardly. Yet the disciples who walked with Jesus were living something greater — they were sharing in His life, His love, and His mission.

For us today, this invites an important question: Which matters more — the fasting that others can see, or the sharing of ourselves in the mission of Jesus? While fasting has its place in our spiritual life, it becomes truly meaningful when it leads us to love more, serve more, and give more of ourselves for others.

Perhaps this Gospel moment is opening our eyes and our hearts to what true fasting really is. True fasting is not only about denying ourselves food. True fasting happens when we willingly offer a part of ourselves so that others may live, have fullness of life, and encounter Jesus through our words, actions, and love.

 When we choose patience instead of anger, we are fasting.

When we choose forgiveness instead of resentment, we are fasting.

When we choose generosity instead of selfishness, we are fasting.

When we choose to lift others up instead of focusing only on ourselves, we are living true fasting.

As we journey in faith together, may we ask for the grace not only to practice fasting outwardly, but to live fasting inwardly — in our hearts, in our relationships, and in our daily choices. May our lives become offerings of love that reflect the presence of Jesus to the world around us.

Are we willing to fast not only from food, but from pride, selfishness, and indifference — so that through us, others may experience the love, mercy, and living presence of Jesus?— Marino J. Dasmarinas