When The Bridegroom Is Taken Away Then They Will Be Fast

1 Corinthians 4:1-5 
Luke 5:33-39

When the bridegroom is taken away then they will fast…

It is often said that, “there is a time and a place for every purpose under heaven’. There is a time to laugh, a time to weep. a time to feast, a time to fast. Today’s Scripture readings warn us about getting too comfortable in our lives; we are asked to be ready to transcend our expectations of self, others, and our culture for the sake of the Gospel.
Today’s first reading is part of a letter from St. Paul to the newly formed Christian community in Corinth. The community there had some practices and traditions that were not in keeping with a Christian lifestyle, and Paul challenges them to go against their own culture (and sometimes people they love) for the sake of a life in Christ. To encourage them, he shares his own attitude:

Today’s gospel poignantly illustrates how the activities and practices of our lives, even when they are unquestionably good and proper, can sometimes distract us from all the manifestations of God’s loveliness and graciousness so that we no longer realize how stupendously blessed we really are. Because we do not see what we need to see, we miss the gifts that are all around us, especially the Gift-giver from whom all good things come.
In this gospel scene, some people approach Jesus, wondering why the disciples of John the Baptist as well as disciples of the Pharisees regularly fast while, when it comes to fasting, Jesus’ disciples seem pretty carefree. Jesus’ response (“How can the guests at a wedding fast as long as the groom is among them?”) lets them know that to draw away in fasting while he is in their midst is to completely misread the moment.

People who fast at weddings when they ought to be feasting do not have their priorities straight.  How can they fast when Jesus is right before them? How can they keep from joyous celebration when the one who promises them everything is in their midst? At that moment, is fasting even defensible?
Like the misguided wedding guests in this gospel parable, we too can get so wrapped up in the habits and routines of our lives—or just the sheer busyness of life—that we grow numb to the outbursts of grace and goodness, of love and kindness, that happens all the time whenever we encounter Christ-the bridegroom.

In addition, Jesus says, in verse 15 when the bridegroom is taken away then they will fast. There are times in our lives when “the Bridegroom is taken away.”  This can also refer to many things apart from the actual event that took place in the garden of Gethsamane went Our Lord was taken away from them on that Holy Thursday night after being betrayed by the kiss of Judas Iscariot, One thing it particularly refers to are the times when we experience a sense of the loss of Christ in our lives.  This can certainly come as a result of our own sin, but it can also come as a result of us growing closer to Christ.  In the first case, fasting can help free us from the many sinful attachments we have in life.  Fasting has the potential to strengthen our will and purify our desires.  In the second case, there are times when we are growing very close to Christ and, as a result, He hides His presence from our lives.  This may seem strange at first but it is done so that we will seek Him all the more.  In this case, also, fasting can become a means of deepening our faith and commitment to Him.Fasting can take on many forms, but, at the heart, it is simply an act of self-denial and self-sacrifice for God.  It helps us overcome earthly and fleshly desires so that our spirits can more fully desire Christ.

Regardless, there is always a need for fasting in our life, so that we may know that God is ever faithful and that we may depend on Him whether it is time for feasting or fasting. Reflect, today, on how deeply you desire Christ in your life.  If you see that there are other competing desires that tend to drown out Christ, consider offering acts of fasting and other forms of self-denial.  Make them small sacrifices for God and you will see the good fruit they produce

Credit:
This article is written by Rev Fr. Joseph Osho OSJ. Please visit his personal blog @ https://www.blogger.com/profile/10377666931103644634
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