16 February, 2024 | Friday after Ash Wednesday
Reading : Is 58:1-9a Gospel Mt 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.” Reflection: There are only two days of fast and abstinence in Lent, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Yet, many people choose to fast from some form of food or drink in the season of Lent. According to the gospel, Jesus’ disciples were criticized by the disciples of John the Baptist for not fasting in the way they did. We also see Jesus speaks of himself as the bridegroom and his disciples as the bridegroom’s attendants. Jesus’ life and ministry had something of the celebratory quality of a wedding, and who fasts at a wedding? Yet, Jesus also acknowledges that a time will come when fasting will be appropriate. The Church encourages the faithful to emb