A reading from the gospel according to Matthew 9:14-15:

14 The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?”
15 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: Fasting

Fasting is a spiritual exercise wherein we stop eating for a period of time. On the other hand, abstinence is the refusal of certain activities like eating meat or sexual activities. Both are done for different purposes which are mostly religious or health. Fasting has biblical basis. People in the Old and New Testament practiced it and Jesus himself taught it.

In the gospel reading above, the Pharisees questioned Jesus why His disciples do not fast. Jesus answered them by saying fasting is not practice in a wedding. Jesus’ presence is like a wedding feast where there is joy, abundance of food and merriment. He is saying that while His disciples were with Him, there is no reason to fast.

So what are the reasons for fasting? Here are they:
1. Fasting helps us to be cleansed spiritually and thus, we come closer to God. It helps us focus on Him and therefore, we can hear from Him. In the Old Testament, only after fasting for forty days did Moses receive the Ten Commandments from God (Exodus 34:28).
2. Fasting helps us to be victorious. The Israelites fasted before they went to battle and they won. (2 Chronicles 20:2-3). Jesus fasted for forty days and He was victorious over temptation (Matthew 4:1-11).
3. Fasting allow us to get guidance from the Lord. This is very important during times of decision-making. After fasting, Daniel received the instruction of God (Daniel 9:21-22).
4. Fasting strengthen our faith. The body may become physically weak but we become spiritually strong.
5. Fasting is an exercise of humility. We deny ourselves of our cravings in order to find our strength in God.
6. Although we can never influence God to answer our prayers, fasting can prepare us to receive His grace and blessings.

More than anything else, fasting is born out of our love for God. We want to glorify Him by lowering ourselves. Coupled with prayer and reading of scripture, it can also be a tool for purification.

In the short gospel narrative above, we hear Jesus responding to a question about fasting. When asked why His disciples do not fast as John’s disciples do, Jesus presents an analogy of a wedding feast, saying, “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.” This passage is rich with layers of meaning, offering insights into joy, presence, and the anticipation of transformation.

The presence of the bridegroom signifies a time of celebration, not mourning. In the context of our lives, this invites us to recognize and cherish the moments of divine presence and grace. It’s a call to live fully in the moments of joy and communion with God, understanding that there are seasons for everything – a time to celebrate and a time to reflect deeply.

Drawing from this, consider the example of a community coming together in times of joy and celebration, embodying the fullness of life in those moments. This could be seen in communal gatherings, where the sense of fellowship and unity reflects the joy of the bridegroom’s presence. Yet, the same community may also come together in times of loss and fasting, acknowledging the absence of the bridegroom as a time for introspection, growth, and deepening of faith.

Jesus’ teaching also encourages us to be mindful of the seasons in our spiritual journey. Just as there are times of joy, there will also be times of fasting and reflection — periods where we are invited to draw closer to God, to deepen our understanding, and to prepare ourselves for what is to come.

This gospel message inspires us to embrace the rhythm of life with grace and faithfulness. It reminds us to celebrate the presence of God in our lives while also preparing ourselves through times of fasting and reflection for the inevitable challenges and transformations ahead. Let us take this message to heart, living fully in each season of life, and growing in our faith and relationship with the Divine.