From: Mark 2:18-22

A Discussion on Fasting

[18] Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and people
came and said to Him (Jesus): “Why do John’s disciples and the
disciples of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?”
[19] And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the
bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with
them, they cannot fast. [20] The days will come, when the bridegroom
is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. [21] No
one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; if he does, the
patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is
made. [22] And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does,
the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the
skins; but new wine is for fresh skins.”

Commentary:

18-22. Using a particular case, Christ’s reply tells about the
connection between the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament
the Bridegroom has not yet arrived; in the New Testament He is present,
in the person of Christ. With Him began the Messianic Times, a new era
distinct from the previous one. The Jewish fasts, therefore, together
with their system of religious observances, must be seen as a way of
preparing the people for the coming of the Messiah. Christ shows the
difference between the spirit He has brought and that of the Judaism of
His time. This new spirit will not be something extra, added on to the
old; it will bring to life the perennial teachings contained in the
older Revelation. The newness of the Gospel—just like new
wine—cannot fit within the molds of the Old Law.

But this passage says more: to receive Christ’s new teaching people
must inwardly renew themselves and throw off the straight-jacket of old
routines.

19-20. Jesus describes Himself as the Bridegroom (cf. also Luke 12:35;
Matthew 25:1-13; John 3:29), thereby fulfilling what the Prophets had
said about the relationship between God and His people (cf. Hosea
2:18-22; Isaiah 54:5ff). The Apostles are the guests at the wedding,
invited to share in the wedding feast with the Bridegroom, in the joy
of the Kingdom of Heaven (cf. Matthew 22:1-14).

In verse 20 Jesus announces that the Bridegroom will be taken away from
them: this is the first reference He makes to His passion and death
(cf. Mark 8:31; John 2:19; 3:14). The vision of joy and sorrow we see
here epitomizes our human condition during our sojourn on earth.

Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text
taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries
made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of
Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock,
Co. Dublin, Ireland.

Mass Readings

First reading	1 Corinthians 1:26 - 31 ©
Take yourselves for instance, brothers, at the time when you were called: how many of you were wise in the ordinary sense of the word, how many were influential people, or came from noble families? No, it was to shame the wise that God chose what is foolish by human reckoning, and to shame what is strong that he chose what is weak by human reckoning; those whom the world thinks common and contemptible are the ones that God has chosen – those who are nothing at all to show up those who are everything. The human race has nothing to boast about to God, but you, God has made members of Christ Jesus and by God’s doing he has become our wisdom, and our virtue, and our holiness, and our freedom. As scripture says: if anyone wants to boast, let him boast about the Lord.

First reading

1 Corinthians 1:26 - 31 ©

Take yourselves for instance, brothers, at the time when you were called: how many of you were wise in the ordinary sense of the word, how many were influential people, or came from noble families? No, it was to shame the wise that God chose what is foolish by human reckoning, and to shame what is strong that he chose what is weak by human reckoning; those whom the world thinks common and contemptible are the ones that God has chosen – those who are nothing at all to show up those who are everything. The human race has nothing to boast about to God, but you, God has made members of Christ Jesus and by God’s doing he has become our wisdom, and our virtue, and our holiness, and our freedom. As scripture says: if anyone wants to boast, let him boast about the Lord.

Psalm or canticle	Psalm 22 (23)
The good shepherd
The Lord is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. He has taken me to green pastures, he has led me to still waters; he has healed my spirit. He has led me along right paths for his own name’s sake. Even if I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for you are with me: your rod and your staff give me comfort. You have set a table before me in the sight of my enemies. You have anointed my head with oil, and my cup overflows. Truly goodness and kindness will follow me all the days of my life. For long years I shall live in the house of the Lord.

Psalm or canticle

Psalm 22 (23)

The good shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.
He has taken me to green pastures,
he has led me to still waters;
he has healed my spirit.
He has led me along right paths
for his own name’s sake.

Even if I walk in the valley of the shadow of death,
I shall fear no evil, for you are with me:
your rod and your staff give me comfort.

You have set a table before me
in the sight of my enemies.
You have anointed my head with oil,
and my cup overflows.

Truly goodness and kindness will follow me
all the days of my life.
For long years I shall live
in the house of the Lord.

Gospel	Matthew 13:44 - 46 ©
Jesus said, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field. ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it.’