Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint 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.”
Fasting
1. We. It’s easy for Lent to shrink down into legalism, focusing solely on following rules, where the emphasis shifts to checking boxes or judging whether others are keeping up. The Church’s guidelines are meant to support your genuine connection with God, not hinder it. If rules start to block your closeness with Him, they become more of an obstacle than a help, they stop being a “pathway” and start being a “wall”. Following every rule perfectly doesn’t mean you deserve any special standing before God.
2. Friends. Your bond with Jesus should be natural and friendly. It’s a deep inner closeness that naturally extends to those around you. Legalism, in contrast, turns people into “religious police” and replaces friendship with fear. Jesus calls you to a sincere relationship built on heartfelt conversation and love.
3. Moments. Spiritual life has its ups and downs. Some days prayer comes easily, while other days you might feel disconnected from God. During those difficult periods, those “dry spells”, spiritual practices—like attending Mass, praying the Rosary, or reading scripture—can help sustain you. Remember, these activities are meant to bring you closer to God; they’re not just items on a checklist to complete out of fear.
Never forget that something good is on the way!
God bless you and be with you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
