The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, the 51st anniversary of our marriage, lead us to ponder our great blessing and our desire to share love, hope, and blessing with our family and friends.
The Reading from the Prophet Amos is an editorial supplement to Amos, added to bring the book into harmony with the positive thrust of the prophetic books in general
* [9:11–15] These verses are most likely an editorial supplement to Amos, added to bring the book into harmony with the positive thrust of the prophetic books in general, especially those written after the exile, when the final edition of Amos was probably completed. The editors would have seen the destruction of Samaria in 722/721 B.C. as the fulfillment of Amos’s prophecies, but in this epilogue they express the view that destruction was not the Lord’s final word for Israel. In Acts 15:15–17, James interprets this passage in a messianic sense. The fallen hut of David: the Davidic kingdom, which included what later became the divided Northern and Southern Kingdoms. All nations claimed in my name: lit., “all nations over whom my name has been pronounced.” This idiom denotes ownership.
* [9:14] Rebuild…inhabit…plant…drink: in this era of restoration, the Lord nullifies the curse of 5:11, which uses these same four verbs, and turns it into a blessing for Israel. (Amos, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 85 declares to Judea that God will be active on their behalf.
* [Psalm 85] A national lament reminding God of past favors and forgiveness (Ps 85:2–4) and begging for forgiveness and grace now (Ps 85:5–8). A speaker represents the people who wait humbly with open hearts (Ps 85:9–10): God will be active on their behalf (Ps 85:11–13). The situation suggests the conditions of Judea during the early postexilic period, the fifth century B.C.; the thoughts are similar to those of postexilic prophets (Hg 1:5–11; 2:6–9). (Psalms, PSALM 85 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus addresses the Question About Fasting.
* [9:15] Fasting is a sign of mourning and would be as inappropriate at this time of joy, when Jesus is proclaiming the kingdom, as it would be at a marriage feast. Yet the saying looks forward to the time when Jesus will no longer be with the disciples visibly, the time of Matthew’s church. Then they will fast: see Didache 8:1.
* [9:16–17] Each of these parables speaks of the unsuitability of attempting to combine the old and the new. Jesus’ teaching is not a patching up of Judaism, nor can the gospel be contained within the limits of Mosaic law. (Matthew, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)
Cindy Costanzo comments Change happens. A new generation adopts new practices, creates new technology, the old gives away to the new. And yet change is hard, we grieve what has past, we wish the change had not happened, we are slow or may refuse to accept the change.
However, if our joy and belief is in God’s kingdom should we not trust that change can and will bring something good? If we are graced with faith - then by faith alone we should trust that God will reveal to us the value of the change; to recognize the good and an understanding of its value within our lives.
In today’s scripture Jesus also reminds us of joy. How we should celebrate recognizing “Joy for Joy”. Yes, our world can be described as a fallen, sinful world but there is so much to love and embrace about our world so let’s celebrate this grace. Let’s be willing to reshape our attitudes, engage new ideas, welcome the value change brings, and grow in our faith and pass our positive attitudes, and wonderful faith in God to the next generation so joy stays alive. God’s kingdom as Jesus shared with his disciples is alive and will continue to shatter our expectations but only if we open our hearts to the possibilities. (Costanzo, 2026)
Don Schwager quotes “No need to fast in the presence of the Bridegroom,” by Hilary of Poitiers (315-367 AD).
"The Pharisees and John's disciples were fasting, and the apostles were not. But Jesus answered them in a spiritual way and indicated to John's disciples that he was a bridegroom. John taught that all hope in life lay in Christ. While he was still preaching, however, his disciples could not be received by the Lord. Up until the time of John, the law and the prophets prevailed, and unless the law came to an end, none of them would subscribe to faith in the gospel. The fact that he said there was no need for his disciples to fast as long as the bridegroom is with them illustrates the joy of his presence and the sacrament of the holy food, which no one need be without while he is present, that is, bearing Christ in the light of the mind. But once he is gone, Jesus says that they will fast, for all those who do not believe that Christ has risen will not have the food of life. By faith in the resurrection, the sacrament of the heavenly bread is received. Whoever is without Christ will be forsaken, fasting from the food of life." (excerpt from the commentary ON MATTHEW 9.3) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 9:14-17 comments that Jesus’ words remind us that we are not following him on an endlessly painful journey. He is our bridegroom, the fulfillment of all our desires! So we do not lose hope. We trust that his Spirit dwells within us now, and one day we will join him in the glory of heaven.
In this life, we will have troubles, but they cannot compare with the wedding that is to come! While we embrace the sufferings of this life, we keep our hearts fixed on the joy that awaits us: perfect and eternal union with our God in heaven. He wants us to join him in his wedding banquet, a feast that will last for all eternity.
Whether you are feeling God’s closeness, his absence, or a mixture of both today, know that Jesus, your bridegroom, is with you. He will lead you all the way to his heavenly wedding.
“Jesus, I rejoice that you are with me now, as I wait for your return!” (Meditation on Matthew 9:14-17, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that Amos has been tough on the Israelites, predicting being overthrown but he ends with a promise of restoration and abundant harvest and a prophecy that they will plant vineyards and drink wine and have a permanent dwelling not taken away from them. Did Amos actually write it? The same vocabulary and restoration after suffering is frequent in prophetic texts. In the Gospel of Matthew, the Disciples ask about fasting. Jesus reminds them the wedding guests do not fast while the bridegroom is present. Friar Jude addresses “Why fast?” and cites discipline, repairing relationship with God, solidarity with those who need, and fast as the one who has loved us most has loved us to death. At a wedding we have good food and clothes and maybe Mark put the sayings linked to wedding and new clothes here. Perhaps they were not originally here?
Father Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that writing to a friend, the spiritual writer and Catholic priest Henri Nouwen (1932–1996) reflects on how we share our joy of being God’s beloved with others.
No one is brought to life through curses, gossip, accusations, or blaming. There is so much of that taking place around us all the time. And it calls forth only darkness, destruction, and death. As the “blessed ones,” we can walk through this world and offer blessings. It doesn’t require much effort. It flows naturally from our hearts. When we hear within ourselves the voice calling us by name and blessing us, the darkness no longer distracts us.
You live in New York. I live in Toronto. As you walk down Columbus Avenue and I down Yonge Street, we can have no illusions about the darkness. The loneliness, the homelessness, and the addictedness of people are all too visible. Yet all of these people yearn for a blessing. That blessing can be given only by those who have heard it themselves…. We are chosen and blessed. When we have truly owned this, have said “Yes” to it, then we can face our own and others’ brokenness with open eyes. (Rohr, n.d.)
We are thankful for our blessings and implore the Spirit to be people who share our experience of faith, hope, and love with the community with whom we share our days.
References
Amos, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 4, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/amos/9?11
Costanzo, C. (2026, July 4). Daily Reflection July 4, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved July 4, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-july-4-2026
Matthew, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved July 4, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/9?14
Psalms, PSALM 85 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved July 4, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/85?9
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Everyone Is Chosen: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 4, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/everyone-is-chosen-weekly-summary/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Day Will Come When They Will Fast. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 4, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
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