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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?” Mark 2:18–19
Fasting was common in Old Testament times. Its purpose was to
express repentance, mourning, or preparation for divine
intervention. This was especially true among John the Baptist’s
disciples who fasted in response to John’s call to repentance and
preparation for the coming of the Messiah.
Though the Pharisees fasted, their fasting was often for show, to
illustrate a false piety. Recall the Pharisee’s prayer in the
Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector: “The Pharisee took
up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank
you that I am not like the rest of humanity—greedy, dishonest,
adulterous—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week,
and I pay tithes on my whole income’” (Luke 18:11–12).
In today’s Gospel, Jesus explains that His disciples do not fast
now, but that a day is coming when they will need to fast. Jesus
explains this within the context of revealing His divine identity
as the Bridegroom of God’s people.
Through the prophets, God often described His relationship with His
people in terms of a marriage covenant. Isaiah said, “For your
husband is your Maker; the LORD of hosts is his name, Your
redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, called God of all the earth”
(Isaiah 54:5). Hosea prophesied, “I will betroth you to me forever:
I will betroth you to me with justice and with judgment, with
loyalty and with compassion…” (Hosea 2:22–23).
While Jesus, the Bridegroom, was with them physically, His
disciples were at their wedding banquet, celebrating the new
marriage covenant God was establishing with them. It was
inappropriate to fast at such a banquet. However, “the days will
come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they
will fast on that day” (Mark 2:20). This is a reference to Jesus’
Passion, Death, and Ascension. He prophesied that once the New
Marital Covenant was sealed in His Blood and His earthly mission
completed, “they will fast on that day.” That day is today!
In the early Church, fasting was also common: “While they were
worshiping the Lord and fasting, the holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart
for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’
Then, completing their fasting and prayer, they laid hands on them
and sent them off” (Acts 13:2–3). In this instance, fasting helped
the teachers and prophets in Antioch discern Saul and Barnabas’
mission in preparation for sending them forth.
Today, Jesus not only calls us to regular forms of fasting and
mortification, doing so is an essential part of our spiritual
journey. This teaching is clear in the New Testament. For example,
at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry He entered the desert and
“fasted for forty days and forty nights” (Matthew 4:2). This models
for us the value of fasting as we attempt to fulfill our missions
and overcome the temptations of the evil one.
If we want to imitate our Lord, deepen our covenantal bond with
Him, and further His mission, then we must regularly fast. Though
fasting is only required twice a year—on Ash Wednesday and Good
Friday—we are encouraged to do so weekly, especially on Fridays,
uniting this practice to our prayer life.
Reflect today on your practice of fasting and other forms of
regular mortification. Fasting is an interior discipline that
unites us to the suffering Christ and prepares our hearts to
receive His abundant grace. By helping us overcome the enticements
of the flesh and distractions of this world, fasting refocuses our
souls on the eternal wedding feast that awaits us in Heaven.
Embrace fasting not as a burden, but as a joyful opportunity to
grow in holiness, deepen your covenantal relationship with the
Bridegroom, and prepare more fully for the mission on which He
sends you.
My Lord and Bridegroom, through the shedding of Your Blood, You
have established a New Covenant of love and salvation with me. I
long to deepen this covenant and remain faithful to the mission You
have entrusted to me. When I am tempted by the disorder of my
appetites or distracted by the allurements of the world, remind me
of the necessity and grace of fasting. Help me to embrace this holy
practice with joyful anticipation of its spiritual rewards and with
greater trust in Your providence. Jesus, I trust in You.
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