Mark 2:18-22

1 Samuel 15:16-23

Psalm 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21, and 23

Mark 2:18-22

The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast.

People came to Jesus and objected,

“Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast,

 but your disciples do not fast?”

Jesus answered them,

“Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?

As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast.

But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them,

and then they will fast on that day.

No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak.

If he does, its fullness pulls away,

the new from the old, and the tear gets worse.

Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins.

Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins,

and both the wine and the skins are ruined.

Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins.”

Opening Prayer: Lord, at times it is difficult for me to understand the books of the Old Testament and things like placing entire peoples under the ban of destruction. I know, though, that you are a God of justice and mercy. I trust in you as you direct the course of human history.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Old Wine of Moses: One of the responsibilities given to King Saul by the prophet Samuel was to utterly destroy the sinful Amalekites (1 Samuel 15:1-3). Centuries before, the Amalekites tried to ambush and kill the people of Israel as they were leaving Egypt (Exodus 17:8-16). As a punishment, the Amalekites dwelling in Canaan were put under the ban of destruction. This was the law given by Moses in the Book of Deuteronomy (20:16-18). Israel was to utterly destroy the Amalekites when they conquered the land of Canaan.

2. Saul’s Disobedience: But Saul disobeyed the Law of Moses. His men kept the best sheep and oxen and Saul spared the life of Agag the king of the Amalekites. When Saul was confronted by Samuel for his disobedience, Saul insisted that he had obeyed and tried to justify his actions saying that his men took the animals and that he was going to offer up the animals in sacrifice to the Lord. As well, even though he spared Agag, Saul insisted that he utterly destroyed the Amalekites. In response, Samuel teaches Saul that obedience to the Lord is better than animal sacrifice. Sin is rebellion and presumption is idolatry. Because of his actions, Saul will lose the kingship. After hearing this, Saul finally acknowledges that he has sinned.

3. The New Wine of Christ: One of the things that Jesus does in his Sermon on the Mount is correct several laws that Moses gave the people in the Book of Deuteronomy. We are probably more familiar with Jesus correcting the Law of Moses regarding divorce (Matthew 5:31-32). In fact, Jesus clarifies that Moses gave the law about divorce due to the people’s hardness of heart (Matthew 19:3-9). The same can be said about the Law of Moses to utterly destroy the enemies of Israel in the land of Canaan. Jesus corrects the Law of Moses and exhorts us to love, not destroy, our enemies and pray for them (Matthew 5:43-48). Moses gave the law of destruction because of the people’s hardness of heart. When Israel came into contact with other nations they almost always fell into sin and idolatry. And so, Moses gave them laws in Deuteronomy to protect them from these influences. In the New Covenant, however, all nations are invited to become members of God’s people. And the New Law is one of love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness. While the old wine of the Law of Moses commanded the destruction of Israel’s enemies, the new wine of the Law of Christ the bridegroom is one of love, joy, and salvation for all peoples.

Conversing with Christ: Lord, I sometimes fail to follow your new Law of charity. I know that you offer me the grace necessary to live your law to the full. I ask for your grace today and the virtue of charity. I want all men and women to experience your love and forgiveness.

Resolution: One way to love our enemies is to pray for them. Love is an action in which a person wills the good of another person. Our highest good is the attainment of eternal salvation. We should pray that everyone, including our enemies, attain eternal life. We can accompany our prayer with the pleasing sacrifice of fasting. Who will I be praying and fasting for today?