Matthew 9:14-15

Isaiah 58:1-9a

Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 18-19

Matthew 9:14-15

The disciples of John approached Jesus and said,

“Why do we and the Pharisees fast much,

but your disciples do not fast?”

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.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, you promised to be a bridegroom for your people, the bride you have chosen. Your love for her is deep and profound. Grant me the grace to experience this love and to love you in return.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Hypocritical Fasting: The prophet Isaiah today presents us with two different types of fasting. The first kind is hypocritical fasting. This is where someone has all the outward appearances of fasting but, at the same time, tolerates injustice and neglects the needs of the poor. When the hypocrite asks why God is ignoring their penance and fasting, God responds that while they are fasting, they are doing evil things, like exploiting others and fighting with others. Because of this, God asks the hypocrite a rhetorical question: “Is this really an acceptable fast?”

2. Fasting and Love: Isaiah teaches us that the type of fasting that God truly desires from us goes hand and hand with love for our neighbor. Our fasting is useless if we continue to turn our back on those in need around us. We learn in the New Testament, that when we help the oppressed, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and shelter the homeless, we are doing these things to Christ, our bridegroom. These deeds of righteousness, justice, and charity are woven into our wedding garments! (Matthew 22:11-13; Revelation 19:7-9). Isaiah promises blessings for those who care for the poor and oppressed. Their light will shine, their wounds will be healed, the glory of God will protect them, and the Lord will answer their prayerful cry for help.

3. Jesus the Bridegroom: When the disciples of John ask Jesus about the practice of fasting, Jesus responds that his disciples will fast one day when he, the Bridegroom, is taken away from them. Jesus is referring to the day of his passion, crucifixion, and death. This is when Jesus will consummate his marriage to his bride, the New People of God. In our day, Jesus the Bridegroom has been taken away and yet also mysteriously remains with us in the Eucharist and intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father. Because of this, it is good that we dedicate time both to fasting and to feasting while we await the return of our Bridegroom at the end of time (Matthew 25:1-13).

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you have the greatest love for your Bride, the Church. You laid down your life for her and poured out your cleansing blood for her on the cross. You have prepared a home for her in heaven. Help me to imitate you today in giving myself to others so that I may reach my heavenly home.

Resolution: Lent is an appropriate time to fast as we contemplate the passion and death of our Bridegroom on the Cross. Easter will be an appropriate time to feast and celebrate the resurrection of our Bridegroom. Let us make sure that our fasting this Lent goes hand in hand with generous charity for the poor. Otherwise, our fasting this Lent is in vain.