2/20/2026 (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.”

2/20/2026 (Friday) Today’s Gospel reflection / homily / sermon: Matthew 9:14-15

In this Gospel reading, a question is raised about spiritual practice. Why are Jesus’ disciples not fasting like others? Behind the question lies a deeper issue: expectations about how faith should look. People were accustomed to certain religious patterns, certain visible disciplines that signaled devotion. But Jesus responds by pointing to relationship rather than routine. He describes a moment of presence, joy, and companionship, something so significant that mourning practices would not fit the season.

This passage reminds us that faith is not merely about maintaining religious habits; it is about recognizing who is with us and what season we are in.

In today’s world, it is easy to reduce spirituality to schedules and checklists. We may measure our devotion by how many services we attend, how long we pray, or how consistently we follow certain disciplines. While these practices are valuable, they can lose meaning if detached from relationship. Fasting, prayer, and worship are not performances to compare with others; they are responses to God’s presence in our lives.

Jesus teaches that there is a time for celebration and a time for sacrifice. Wisdom lies in discerning the difference. There are seasons when God invites us to rejoice like celebrating answered prayers, new beginnings, restored relationships, or personal breakthroughs. At other times, He calls us to deeper reflection, repentance, or self-denial. Faith matures when we learn to respond appropriately to each season rather than rigidly clinging to one expression.

Consider modern examples. A young professional might feel pressured to follow every spiritual trend shared online such as new devotion methods, strict routines, public displays of discipline. But genuine faith asks: Is this drawing me closer to Christ, or am I just trying to fit in? A family experiencing a season of blessing may feel guilty for their joy, thinking spirituality must always look solemn. Yet joy itself can be worship when it flows from gratitude. Conversely, someone walking through grief may need quiet fasting and prayer, not because others demand it, but because their heart longs for God’s sustaining presence.

Jesus’ response also reminds us that relationship changes everything. When we truly understand that Christ is near, our practices become expressions of love rather than obligations. Imagine preparing a meal not out of duty but because someone you love is visiting. The same action carries different meaning depending on relationship. In the same way, spiritual disciplines become life-giving when rooted in love.

Another lesson from this passage is flexibility. Faith is alive, not mechanical. We should not judge others based solely on how their devotion looks from the outside. Someone’s spiritual rhythm may differ from ours, yet still be sincere. God works uniquely in each life, guiding hearts according to their journey and growth.

Ultimately, Jesus calls us to examine the heart behind our actions. Are we practicing faith to impress, to conform, or to compete? Or are we responding to the living presence of Christ with authenticity?

When we recognize that we are walking with Him, our joy becomes deeper, our sacrifices become meaningful, and our worship becomes real. Faith then is no longer about rigid performance; it becomes a relationship that shapes every season of life with purpose, balance, and hope.

Go here to read further Gospel reflection.