A reading from the gospel according to Matthew 9:14-17
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.
16 No one patches an old cloak with a piece of unshrunken cloth, for its fullness pulls away from the cloak and the tear gets worse.
17 People do not put new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. Rather, they pour new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.”
Gospel Reflection – Matthew 9:14-17
The gospel reading above shows us the beginning of the tension between Jesus and His critics. The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were quick to see and feel the difference between their usual life and the “new life” that Jesus brings. So they complained. Jesus responded by saying that the old has gone and the new has arrived. His use of a wedding as a metaphor means that His presence is like a party or a fun-filled celebration. Obviously, it is not a time for fasting but rather for rejoicing.
Jesus came not to preserve the status quo but to establish the Kingdom of God where there is peace and joy, love and justice, hope and faith. That is why His new radical way of life was at odds with the establishment particularly the religious authorities. Their opposition to Jesus would later culminate in the crucifixion.
We can easily understand the behavior of the critics of Jesus. Many people would rather cling to their cherished old way of life rather than embrace change. Especially if you are in a privileged situation like the Pharisees of old and the elite families in our time, there is no incentive for change. Yet change is the message of Jesus. He has arrived to inaugurate the foundation of a new world that would alter the way we relate to each other and to God.
Indeed, the moment one accepts Jesus as his personal Lord and savior, he becomes a new person (2 Corinthians 5:17). The old self must be transformed into His likeness. It is no longer business as usual. Old habits must die to give way to new habits. It is not easy of course. As in all kinds of change, there is pain involved just like the tearing of old wineskins. But the fact remains, life in Christ is full of joy, hope and love.
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Fasting plays a big part in the life of the Jewish people. That is why, in the gospel reading above, the disciples of John were wondering why Jesus and His followers were not fasting. It is actually a question of why they do the things that they were doing. In this case, why were they fasting. Of course they may be aware of the reasons but there is one thing that they were missing and it is timing. There are reasons for doing things but there is a right time to do them.
Jesus compares Himself to a bridegroom with His disciples as His bride. Their union is like a wedding. He came to bring glad tidings such as forgiveness of sins, healing, freedom and salvation to His “bride”. In other words, we should rejoice in Him and with Him. That is why His presence alone makes it inappropriate to fast.
We read in the book of Ecclesiastes that there is a time for everything. Many times in our life, we encounter failures and the main reason is incorrect timing. Jesus is teaching us to do the right things at the right time. Above all, He is telling us to do things with His presence and for His glory. Then the things that we do will be filled with joy.
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The gospel reading above presents a powerful lesson on the newness and transformative nature of Jesus’ teachings. In this passage, John’s disciples question Jesus about fasting, asking why His disciples do not fast like they and the Pharisees do. Jesus responds with a profound analogy, comparing His presence to a wedding feast, and His teachings to new cloth and new wine.
Jesus’ response highlights the importance of understanding the context and purpose of spiritual practices. He compares Himself to a bridegroom, suggesting that His presence is a time of celebration and joy, much like a wedding feast. In such joyous times, fasting, which is often associated with mourning or repentance, is not appropriate. Jesus emphasizes that there is a time for every practice, and wisdom lies in discerning the appropriate time and context.
Furthermore, Jesus uses the analogies of new cloth on an old garment and new wine in old wineskins to illustrate the transformative power of His message. Just as new cloth will tear away from an old garment and new wine will burst old wineskins, the new teachings of Jesus cannot be confined within the old frameworks of the law and traditional practices. His message brings renewal, a fresh perspective, and a deeper understanding of God’s love and grace.
This passage inspires us to embrace the newness that Jesus brings into our lives. It calls us to be open to transformation and to allow our hearts and minds to be renewed by His teachings. Often, we hold onto old ways of thinking and doing things, even when they no longer serve us. Jesus invites us to let go of these outdated practices and embrace the fresh, life-giving changes He offers.
In our daily lives, this might mean reevaluating our habits, attitudes, and beliefs. Are there areas where we are clinging to old ways out of comfort or tradition, rather than embracing the new life Jesus offers? Are we flexible enough to allow God’s transformative power to work within us, reshaping our lives according to His will?
Jesus’ teachings remind us that true faith is not static but dynamic. It requires us to be adaptable, willing to change and grow. By embracing the newness of Christ, we can experience a deeper, more vibrant relationship with God. We are called to live in the joy and freedom that His presence brings, celebrating the new life He offers each day. Let us open our hearts to His transformative power, allowing Him to renew us, and fill us with His abundant grace and love.
For further reflection about fasting, go here.