3/7/2025 (Friday) Today’s Gospel reading: 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.”

3/7/2025 (Friday) Today’s Gospel reflection / homily / sermon: Matthew 9:14-15

The response of Jesus to the question on fasting was profound. The disciples of John and the Pharisees saw fasting as a religious duty, a sign of devotion and humility before God. However, Jesus revealed a deeper spiritual truth: there is a time for fasting and a time for rejoicing.

Recognizing the Presence of Christ
Jesus refers to Himself as the bridegroom, an image rich in meaning. In Jewish tradition, a wedding was a time of joy and celebration. No one fasted at a wedding because it was a time for feasting, laughter, and love. By calling Himself the bridegroom, Jesus was declaring that His presence among them was a reason for joy. The kingdom of God had come, and the long-awaited Savior was in their midst!

This truth applies to us today. How often do we focus on religious rituals and forget to enjoy the presence of Jesus? Sometimes, we carry burdens of guilt, worry, and religious obligation without realizing that Jesus invites us into a life of joy, freedom, and relationship with Him. Just as the disciples rejoiced while Jesus was with them, we, too, can experience joy in His presence through prayer, worship, and walking daily with Him.

The Purpose of Fasting
Jesus did not say fasting was unnecessary. He said there would be a time for it. When He, the bridegroom, was taken away (referring to His death, resurrection, and ascension), then His followers would fast.

Fasting is not about impressing God with our self-denial. It is a way of drawing closer to Him, humbling ourselves, and seeking His guidance. When Jesus ascended to heaven, His disciples fasted to seek His direction, strength, and wisdom. Today, fasting remains a powerful spiritual discipline that helps us refocus our hearts on God, especially when we feel distant from Him or need His intervention in our lives.

Living in the Balance of Joy and Seeking
As followers of Christ, we are called to live in a balance of joy and seeking. There are times when God calls us to celebrate His goodness, to rest in His love, and to rejoice in the blessings He has given. At other times, He calls us to seek Him with greater intensity — to fast, to pray, and to draw near to Him with a humble heart.

Both seasons are necessary. If we only celebrate, we may become complacent and forget our deep need for God. If we only fast and mourn, we may miss the abundant joy Jesus came to give.

Jesus’ words remind us to be aware of the spiritual season we are in. Are we walking in the joy of His presence, celebrating His goodness? Or is He calling us to a time of deeper seeking, fasting, and prayer?

Whatever the season, our goal is the same — to be with Him. The ultimate joy of the Christian life is not found in religious rituals, but in an intimate relationship with Jesus. Whether we are rejoicing or fasting, let us fix our eyes on Him, the Bridegroom who loves us, leads us, and will one day return to bring us into the greatest wedding feast of all—eternal life with Him.

Reflection Questions:

Are you experiencing the joy of Jesus’ presence in your daily life?
Is God calling you to a deeper season of prayer and fasting?
How can you balance celebration and spiritual discipline in your walk with Christ?

May we walk in both the joy of His presence and the humility of seeking Him, knowing that in every season, He is with us.

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