The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast.
People came to Jesus and objected,
“Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast,
but your disciples do not fast?”
Jesus answered them,
“Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?
As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast.
But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them,
and then they will fast on that day.
No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak.
If he does, its fullness pulls away,
the new from the old, and the tear gets worse.
Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins.
Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins,
and both the wine and the skins are ruined.
Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins.” Mk 2:18-22
Today, Jesus reveals once again who He is. He is the Messiah. It is unnecessary to fast while the Messiah is with the disciples. It is a joyous time! God is on earth! It would be pointless to fast! The Pharisees cannot see this because they are blinded by unbelief and no faith. Jesus is the center of the old passing away and the new coming to be. We are called to fast now that Jesus has died and resurrected until His return. Not for His sake, but our own. Fasting strengthens our self-discipline, our self-control, and helps us stay obedient. Fasting helps us break sinful habits. If we cannot fast from drinking pop one day, how will we ever be strong enough to fight desires of the flesh or beat the Devil’s temptations? Fasting is important, but it was unnecessary while Jesus was on earth.
Today’s challenge: Fast. Make yourself strong against temptation. With self-control and discipline it is easier to control our fallen human nature.
Day 10 Total Consecration
Day 3 Novena for Life
Become a saint!
Christian YOLO
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