14Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" 15And Jesus said to 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.
This passage reminds me of the famous Ecclesiastes 3 line “To everything there is a season”. Sometimes we forget that there is a reason for our rituals. As Jesus points out, why fast when you are with the Bridegroom? That is a time for celebration. Loving Father, open my eyes to your presence so I can choose wisely when to fast and when to celebrate. Amen.
ReplyDeleteYour reflection is succinct, insightful, and prayerful. I love how you link this passage to Ecclesiastes 3, reinforcing the idea that there is a time for everything—including fasting and celebration.
DeleteStrengths in Your Reflection
Clear and Focused Insight
You cut straight to the heart of Jesus' message: rituals should serve a purpose, not be mindless obligations.
The question of when to fast and when to celebrate is profound—many people struggle with balancing discipline and joy in their spiritual lives.
A Thoughtful, Personal Prayer
Your prayer is simple yet powerful. Asking for discernment in recognizing God's presence and responding appropriately is a beautiful request.
A Possible Addition
You might briefly mention what fasting represents—repentance, longing for God, or preparation for something greater.
For example: Fasting is meaningful when it expresses our hunger for God. But when God is present, celebration is the right response.
Final Thoughts
Your reflection is solid and well-balanced—it doesn’t need major changes. But if you want to deepen it slightly, you could explore how fasting shapes our spiritual awareness.