Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with  them?”

 

Gospel Reading: 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.”

 

Today is the first Friday of Lent.  This is a day of fasting.  But fast from what?  In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus is questioned about fasting, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?” Friday is the day that Lord was crucified so during Lent we fast on Fridays to remember the sacrifice that he made for us.  But the gospel refers specifically to the wedding guests.  So who are wedding guests? They are generally the closest and dearest friends of the bridegroom. Jesus refers to himself as the bridegroom and his disciples his closest friends. A wedding is a time of great celebration and joy because two are united as one. How can one fast when they are in the presence of the wedding party? How can one fast when Jesus is with them celebrating? Jesus’ disciples are hungry for the kingdom of heaven. They celebrate because Christ is with them. They do not fast from God, but seek God to enter their lives. So what type of fasting should we practice? We should fast from things that separate us from God. We should fast from our bad habits, our sinful ways and our vices. But most importantly, we should share in the hunger of those who go without food. Today is a fast day. Take time to decide what it is that you need to fast from. While you abstain from meat, think about those who do not have food for their own table. Think of those who have no shelter to live in. Pray for the poor and the hungry that they may be fed today. Today, we should hunger for God and we should hunger for peace to cover the world.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Come Lord Jesus, I hunger for your love.

I hunger for the love you poured out for us.

Help me conquer those things which keep me from you.

Help me fast from sins of my life.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon