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The Gospel Proclamation
Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but our disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “The wedding guests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.
Gaze on Jesus
John lived a life of strict abstinence and his food was locusts and wild honey. No where is it said that he spoke about fasting. The disciples of John may have been led by the Pharisees before they came to John. The Pharisees most of the time were out to find fault with what Jesus said or did and they may have induced the disciples of John to put this question about fasting. These religious leaders may not be happy when the people who came to them earlier are now flocking in large numbers to Jesus to listen to His sermons and to be healed of their ailments.
The Pharisees considered fasting to be a sign of liberation and in their prayers they wanted God to come and liberate the people. Here Jesus says that when God comes in the form of Jesus Himself, joy and celebration are more appropriate. Prophet Isaiah has also announced in vs. 62:4, 5 of the wedding feast of God with His people when He comes to visit them and this has been actualised when Jesus presents Himself as the bridegroom.
Towards the end of His fast of forty days in the wilderness after His Baptism, the devil made a futile attempt to make Him to end His fast. “If you are the Son of God command this stone to become bread.” Jesus responded with the words of scripture, “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds form the mouth of God.” (Matthew 3:3, 4). Even in His Sermon on the Mount Jesus has presented the mind of the Father in regard to fasting. (Matthew 6:16, 18) “When you fast, do not look dismal like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men ... But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Prayerful Awareness
Here in this passage Prophet Isaiah who lived about 600 years before Christ, presents the mind of God in regard to fasting. They say that when they fast they are not even seen and the penance they do are not noticed. But on the other hand on the day they fast they force the labourers to work and they end up quarrelling and fighting. Becoming humble and wearing sack cloth alone will not please the Lord. The fast that pleases the Lord is to do away with injustice, release the oppressed in any form, sharing the food with the hungry, give shelter to the homeless, clothe the naked and not reject your kin who come to you. Then when you call, the Lord will answer and will readily accept you.
Prayer Starter
Let me be aware every moment of the day that You are one with all those who are destitute and uncared for and may I unite with them at least in spirit and uphold them in prayer every moment they come to my mind.
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