By Lawrence Wanniang, CSC –
Readings: Gen 27:1-5, 15-29; Mt 9:14-15
Most of us in one way or the other say, ‘why do you not do as I do?’ This is our human tendency where we want others to do according to our wish and plan having no idea about their life.
In the gospel reading of today, we hear John’s disciples come and ask Jesus, ‘Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?’
Today’s gospel embraces a concept that many of us have a difficult time grasping: the act and practice of fasting. The word has quite frankly haunted me since I was young. Even at a much more mature age I find the act of fasting confusing sometime. In the gospel reading we are presented with the scenario of when to fast and when not to; or more appropriately, who fasts and who doesn’t. The Pharisees are fasting, for Christ is not the Messiah among them. They do not recognize his holiness, his love, his divinity.
Jesus’s disciples, on the other hand, need not fast for Christ himself is in their presence. They celebrate, they believe. So now the question arises, “we as Christians truly believe that Christ is constantly living among us. He is in everything we see, touch, smell, taste and hear. We allow him to enter ourselves at the Eucharist. He is alive in us, as we are alive in him. Why then must we fast?”
We fast so that we come closer to Christ our Saviour. Each of us has our own path to Jesus. We should not force others along our path, nor allow them to make us follow them. Each of us has the Holy Spirit to guide our steps. Finding our own path with Jesus is not easy. It may involve trial and error. It takes time, effort and prayer. But on our path, we find peace, the peace which the world cannot give. And as we embrace Christ, we place ourselves in a time of sacrifice, a time that represent the ultimate sacrifice. Yes, we have our closeness to celebrate with the Lord.