Gospel MK 2:18-22
The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast.
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.
But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them,
and then they will fast on that day.
No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak.
If he does, its fullness pulls away,
the new from the old, and the tear gets worse.
Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins.
Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins,
and both the wine and the skins are ruined.
Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins.”
Jesus often refers to himself as the bridegroom with The Church (us) as the bride. It's an interesting and deliberate choice that implies a relationship that is both intimate and joyful. He could have said husband and wife but by choosing bride and groom he is evoking the pure sense of joy and exhilaration that we associate with a wedding day - not a day to fast, but one to celebrate! And that's what he expects firm us isn't it? When I realize the full extent of my most intimate relationship with The Living God, my hearts sings in much the same way that it did on my wedding day. It is cause for me to celebrate and be joyful.
No comments:
Post a Comment