Can the wedding guests fast?

Greetings on this the Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 1 Sm 15:16-23; PS 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23; Mk 2:18-22

Notes

Can the wedding guests fast?: the bridal metaphor expresses a new relationship of love between God and his people in the person and mission of Jesus to his disciples. It is the inauguration of the new and joyful messianic time of fulfillment and the passing of the old. Any attempt at assimilating the Pharisaic practice of fasting, or of extending the preparatory discipline of John’s disciples beyond the arrival of the bridegroom, would be as futile as sewing a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak or pouring new wine into old wineskins with the resulting destruction of both cloth and wine (Mk 2:21–22). Fasting is rendered superfluous during the earthly ministry of Jesus; cf. Mk 2:20 (NABRE, Commentary, https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/2?18=#49002018 ).

Summary

In our first reading today, Saul goes his own way. Going our own way is a symptom of not wanting the path the Lord wants us to take. I suppose one is harder than the other, at least in our reckoning. One path more pleasurable? One path more likely to succeed? There are several different reasons we deviate from the Lord’s commandments and none of them compare in value to obedience to the Lord.

Our reading today from 1 Samuel 15:22-23.

1. Obedience is better than sacrifice. To understand this phrase one will recall that sacrifice is a propitiation for sin. Obedience is the absence of sin and therefore is no need for sacrifice.
2. For a sin like divination is rebellion. Divination is seeking the wisdom of evil. The wisdom of God is of no interest to those seeking divinization. Let there not be found among you anyone who causes their son or daughter to pass through the fire (immolation) , or practices divination, or is a soothsayer, augur, or sorcerer, or who casts spells, consults ghosts and spirits, or seeks oracles from the dead (DT 18:10-11).
3. Presumption is the crime of idolatry. i.e., (def) behavior perceived as arrogant, disrespectful, and transgressing the limits of what is permitted or appropriate. Saul presumed as King he had rights to do things no human has the right to do.

Reflection

Contrasting the activities of Saul and his wicked decisions with the gospel portion today may seem a bit melodramatic. I mean fasting is an ordinary practice for the religious (of any variety I might add). But it is the problem of placing the fasting above the person of God who is present, Jesus. Fasting has become the higher order of reality rather than the person who fasting is intended to communicate with – God. Think of it this way, if one truly fasted in honoring and obeying God, he would discover the joy of the wedding gathering banquet in their very presence. Instead the fasting they propose, takes one away from the Lord not toward the Lord.

Personal Reflection

As a catholic with our rich traditions, we can sometimes fall into this idolatry. Our modes of worship can slip into a high order of importance than the person who is being so honored and the person of whom we wish to please. So very dangerous and, in fact, as like for Saul, deadly. In this moment of time in the gospel portion, the disciples who follow Jesus are in the joy of knowing the Lord. Why would one walk away from him?

Challenging Statement Follows

The height of the Mass is in the Holy Communion when we receive the Lord in the species of Bread and Wine. The Consecration and Transubstantiation of the Bread and Wine to the Body and Blood of Jesus is the height of the divine priestly action, the coming about of his presence, in the liturgical rite. Without the priestly action and the Institutional Narrative, we would not enjoy the real presence. But it is in the Holy Communion that the feast, the real presence, is made known. Do not fast from receiving the Lord. If in mortal sin, seek the earliest opportunity to give confession. This is why Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction hare held in such high regard! It is the Lord we seek and to be in his presence we desire.

First Reading

Obedience is better than sacrifice. For a sin like divination is rebellion, and presumption is the crime of idolatry. Because you have rejected the command of the LORD, he, too, has rejected you as ruler.

Responsorial

To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

Gospel Acclamation

The word of God is living and effective, able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.

Gospel

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.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry