The question about fasting

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.”

REFLECTION WHY DO WE… FAST MUCH, BUT YOUR DISCIPLES DO NOT FAST? The question is brought to Jesus by the disciples of John the Baptist. Fasting is one of the three pillars of Jewish piety (the other two are prayer and almsgiving).

Jesus responds with a question, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?” In Matthew’s parables (cf 22:1-14; 25:1-13), the bridegroom refers to Jesus. Jesus’ presence is compared to a wedding banquet, which calls for a celebration, not fasting. When he will be taken away, that is, during his passion and crucifixion, it will be time to fast.

For this reason, fast and abstinence are recommended practices during the Lenten season, especially on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fasting, when we deny ourselves something pleasurable, is an expression of our oneness with the passion of Jesus. It is also a symbol of our solidarity with those who are deprived of the basic necessities in life. Fasting, then, is not only a ritual but also an expression of our desire for union with God and his people.