13th Week in Ord. Time, Saturday – 4th July 2020 — Gospel: Mt 9,14-17
Celebrate Messianic Presence
Jesus’ festive celebration with outcast and sinners (9,9-13) perplexed John’s disciples. They are disappointed by Jesus’ lack of insistence on the ascetical practice with his followers. Putting the blame on his disciples indicates that some have responded favourably and positively to Jesus’ presence. The question here concerns the frequency and motivation for fasting, not the practice itself. It is a sincere desire to understand Jesus as the fulfillment of John’s preparatory ministry. Until now, fasting had become a way to prove one’s religious commitment. Proper fasting is not a way of showing off one’s spirituality (Is 58; Mt 6,16-18) but of drawing closer to God and seeking His guidance (Mt 4,2, i.e., Jesus). Therefore Jesus does not condemn the practice, but neither does He affirm that it is required now. Quoting an analogy of John’s teaching on bridegroom (Jn 3,29) Jesus refers to the biblical image of the wedding feast. By his own words to his disciples, John identified himself as the “friend of the bridegroom,” and Jesus as the “bridegroom.” The prophets applied marriage imagery to the relationship of God and Israel, and they used the image of the banquet to express the fulfillment of Israel’s hopes. Here Jesus is portrayed as the “bridegroom” of the joyful messianic banquet. Jesus assumed that His disciples would fast after He was crucified. Now as Messiah, He has come to forgive sinners (9,1-8) and have fellowship with them (9,9-10). Joyful celebration is the proper response to the coming of Messiah. That is why John himself rejoiced greatly (Jn 3,29) and John’s disciples should do likewise.
