Am I Unnecessarily Fasting, When the Bridegroom is with me?

Gospel Thoughts 

13th Week - Saturday

GOSPEL Mt 9:14-17

"Am I unnecessarily Fasting, when the Bridegroom is with me? 

1) The Gospel of the day speaks about Fasting. 

The disciples of John approached him 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?" 

2) In the context it is very clear that, Jesus is the bridegroom. As long as Jesus is with them there is no need to doing any type of fast. 

3) How do we understand this particular phrase to our context 

Since the Gospel says, Jesus is the bridegroom, all the values and teaching for us today is like a bridegroom. 

As long as this bridegroom/values of Jesus are with us there is no need to doing any fast 

Let us take some examples.

A) Forgiveness is equal to bridegroom. As long as this bridegroom is with me why do I fast and keep anger. Keeping anger is like fasting when the bridegroom is with you

B) Word of God: is like a bridegroom. Do not fast by not reading the Gospel. Read the Gospel. It is like you are celebrating with the bridegroom

C) Confessions: this is another bridegroom. Be with this bridegroom and celebrate life. Don't fast by giving up the sacrament of reconciliation

D) Holy Eucharist: Be with this bridegroom to make your life more holy and blessed.  By avoiding to attend mass you unnecessarily fast, which has no Value 

E) Charity and Generosity : They are best bridegrooms which Jesus have given us. By not being charitable and not being generous one does unnecessary fast 

F) Take up your Cross: Important Bridegroom in our lives. Do not try to avoid this bridegroom. Be with this bridegroom to celebrate life. Fasting by avoiding the Cross will not help in any way to improve our life 

G) Prayer: One among most important bridegroom. Life becomes meaningful with this bridegroom. Going away from this bridegroom is a foolishness

G) Loving ones enemies: A challenging bridegroom. Once you learn to live with this bridegroom, you can live in any circumstances of your life and you always be able to celebrate life 

H) Do not judge others: Those who judge others they are like those who are fasting in the marriage party. It is loss for them and the joy of the celebration

I) Love of God and Love of the Neighbour : Another bridegroom who helps us to get connected with God and human beings. Embrace this bridegroom to have a happy life. Don't fast keeping this bridegroom away from you

J) Rosary : Another bridegroom who is very friendly, who can give new meaning to your life. Don't leave this bridegroom. Going away from this bridegroom and fasting makes our life miserable

4) These are the various parts of parts of the same bridegroom 

-Now which are the bridegrooms I have in my life 

- Am I friendly with these bridegroom or am I with loggerheads to these bridegrooms? 

As long as you friendly and able to celebrate and enjoy with these bridegrooms your life will a joyful one and you will be happy

-Departing from the bridegroom is always painful and it makes us sad and desperate. 

So be with the bridegroom and celebrate life for better goals

God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones

Fr Maxim DSouza

Jeppu Seminary

Mangalore