Saturday, 6 July 2024. Readings: Amos 9:11-15, Ps. 85: 9,11-14, Matthew 9:14-17
“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.” (Matthew 9:15)
In today’s first reading, Amos seems to have departed from his usual message of doom and gloom over the Israelite nation. Today’s psalm says: “The Lord speaks of peace for His people.” This teaches us that prophecy is neither about announcing only bad news nor about telling the people what they like to hear. Prophecy is about speaking the truth as inspired by God. Meanwhile, in today’s Gospel passage, John’s disciples sought Jesus’ opinion on fasting because they noticed that Jesus’ disciples were not fasting. What are the lessons in today’s readings:
- The only way to cheat death is to leave a mark on earth. Even though Herod beheaded John the Baptist, he still had disciples; his legacy never died. John the Baptist made it clear several times that he was not in some competition with Jesus even though he was already popular before Jesus began his public ministry. John allowed some disciples to join Jesus, saying he must decrease while Jesus will increase. For his humility and purity of heart, John still had disciples after his death. When I die, will there be people to continue what I am doing?
- It is better to ask questions than to make faulty assumptions. In Matthew 11:2-3, John sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He was the Messiah or if they were to expect another. John already knew the truth but wanted to teach his disciples the importance of asking questions rather than jumping to conclusions. Unlike the scribes who murmured against Jesus, John’s disciples did not murmur or spread false rumours when they suspected Jesus’ disciples were not fasting. They did what was right – they asked questions.
- Could it be that Jesus’ disciples were fasting but were not showing it? In the Semon on the Mount, Jesus said: “When you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret.” (Matthew 6:17-18). Fasting is not something we use to attract the praises of others to ourselves.
- On the other hand, as Jesus explained, there was no need for His disciples to fast since God was with them in the flesh. Jesus’ response to John’s disciples reminds us of the saying: “For everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; … a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4). Jesus did not condemn fasting. Instead, He highlighted the fact that everything good has its season. Do not fast because others are fasting. Let your fasting be purposeful.
- New wine is good. Old wine is also good. The problem is using old wineskins to store new wine or vice versa. This parable points to the importance of timing. Your plans may be perfect, but if it isn’t the right time, you will pour new wine into an old wineskin. For instance, Amos’ prophecy of a time of restoration for Israel came hundreds of years later in Jesus Christ. That was the right time, not earlier and not later. St. Paul writes: “But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5). Sometimes, God does not answer our prayers because He knows the timing is wrong. Do not lose trust in God. If the wedding guests cannot fast now, the time will come when they will have no choice but to fast.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, teach us patience and increase our understanding of timing from your angle. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Saturday of week 13 in Ordinary Time Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Amos 9:11-15, Ps. 85: 9,11-14, Matthew 9:14-17).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu
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