“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.”
MATTHEW 9:14-15
In this metaphor, Jesus refers to Himself as the “bridegroom” and His disciples as the “wedding guests”. He suggests that while He is present with His disciples, it’s a time for joy, not mourning or fasting. However, a time will come when He will be taken away (a reference to His death and ascension), and then His disciples will fast. This passage is often interpreted as Jesus introducing a new covenant, where the old practices (like ritual fasting) are not necessary when one is in the direct presence of God (Jesus). However, in His absence, these practices can be a way to express longing for His return.
In the heart of the feast, under the joyous sun, where the bridegroom resides, and the laughter has begun. Can the guests find sorrow, can they wear a frown? While the bridegroom is present, can joy be turned upside down? No, they dance in the light, they feast in the day. With the bridegroom among them, sorrow is kept at bay. But a time will come, under the moon's cold cast, when the bridegroom departs, and the feasting is in the past. Then will the guests mourn, then will their laughter cease, then will they long for the bridegroom, and find no release. They will turn to the fast, to the solemn and the pure. In the absence of the bridegroom, they will endure. But in their hearts, a flame will be kept, for the days of the bridegroom, they will not forget and in their fast, a hope will last, for the return of the bridegroom, and the joy unsurpassed.
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.” (Matthew 9:14-15)
This presents a different view of fasting, one that is not just about abstaining from food or drink. Instead, it emphasizes acts of justice and compassion as the true form of fasting that God desires. This refers to freeing people who are unfairly oppressed or burdened. This is a call to end all forms of oppression and to break the bonds that hold people down. This is about providing food for those who are hungry. This calls for providing shelter for those who are oppressed and those who have no place to live. This is about providing clothes for those who are in need. This is a call to care for one’s own family and community. True religious observance goes beyond rituals and involves practical acts of love, justice, and mercy towards others.
This is the fast that I desire, not of empty stomachs, but of hearts on fire. To release the bound, unjustly tied, to untie the yokes, side by side, to set free the oppressed, break every chain, To bring justice and peace, again and again. To share your bread with those who hunger, to make the world a little stronger. To shelter the oppressed, the homeless too, to show the world what love can do. To clothe the naked, see their worth, to bring a little heaven to earth. And never turn your back on kin for in their welfare, we all win. This is the fast that sets us free, a call to live in harmony.
1 Thus says the Lord God: Cry out full-throated and unsparingly, lift up your voice like a trumpet blast; tell my people their wickedness, and the house of Jacob their sins. 2 They seek me day after day, and desire to know my ways, like a nation that has done what is just and not abandoned the law of their God; they ask me to declare what is due them, pleased to gain access to God. 3 “Why do we fast, and you do not see it? afflict ourselves, and you take no note of it?” Lo, on your fast day you carry out your own pursuits, and drive all your laborers. 4 Yes, your fast ends in quarreling and fighting, striking with wicked claw. Would that today you might fast so as to make your voice heard on high! 5 Is this the manner of fasting I wish, of keeping a day of penance: that a man bow his head like a reed, and lie in sackcloth and ashes? Do you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? 6 This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; 7 sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own. 8 Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. 9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am! (Isaiah 58:1-9)
God is not pleased with mere ritual sacrifices or burnt offerings. Instead, what God desires is a “contrite spirit” and a “heart contrite and humbled”. In other words, true repentance involves sincere regret and humility, not just performing religious rituals. God values the sincerity of our hearts over the outward display of religious practices.
No need for sacrifices, no burnt offering to make, not the ritual, not the form, it's the humble heart You take. A heart contrite and broken, a spirit pure and true. This is the offering, O God, that we present to You. Not in grand temples, not on altars high but in the quiet corners where the unseen tears lie. In the heart that's humbled, in the spirit that's contrite, there You find the sacrifice that is pleasing in Your sight. So here's my heart, O God, broken yet sincere, humbled in Your presence, drawing near. No burnt offering I bring, no sacrifice of old, just a contrite spirit, more precious than gold.
3 Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. 4 Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. 5 For I acknowledge my offense, and my sin is before me always. 6 “Against you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight.” 18 For you are not pleased with sacrifices; should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it. 19 My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. (Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6, 18-19)
Lord Jesus, in the joy of Your presence, we find our peace, with You as our Bridegroom, all sorrows cease. But we know a time will come, when You'll be taken away, and in those days of absence, we will fast and pray. Help us to remember, in those times of despair, that though we may not see You, You are always there. Give us the strength to fast, to seek You in our need, and in our longing, may our spirits be freed. When the Bridegroom is taken, and we are left alone, may we find comfort in Your love, a love that's never gone and in our fasting, may we draw near to You, finding strength in Your promise, that You will make all things new. All glory, honor, and praise are Yours now and forever. Amen
Pericope:
III. Ministry and Mission in Galilee
THE QUESTION ABOUT FASTING
Matthew 9:14-17
III: Return of the First Captives
TRUE FASTING
Isaiah 58:1-14
Second Book of Psalms 42-72
THE MISERERE: PRAYER OF REPENTANCE
Psalm 51:1-21
Reflection Source:
Copilot with Bing Chat
