Faith and Fasting

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today encourage us to practice fasting as a spiritual aid to clarify our mission and position as disciples of Christ.

Fasting from Distraction

 The Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians presents Paul as trustworthy steward of the Word.

a. [4:1] Ti 1:7; 1 Pt 4:10.

b. [4:4] 2 Cor 1:12; Rom 2:16; 2 Cor 5:10. (1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 37 responds to the problem of evil.

* [Psalm 37] The Psalm responds to the problem of evil, which the Old Testament often expresses as a question: why do the wicked prosper and the good suffer? The Psalm answers that the situation is only temporary. God will reverse things, rewarding the good and punishing the wicked here on earth. The perspective is concrete and earthbound: people’s very actions place them among the ranks of the good or wicked. Each group or “way” has its own inherent dynamism—eventual frustration for the wicked, eventual reward for the just. The Psalm is an acrostic, i.e., each section begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each section has its own imagery and logic. (Psalms, PSALM 37 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus addresses Questions About Fasting.

* [5:34–35] See notes on Mt 9:15 and Mk 2:19.

* [5:34] Wedding guests: literally, “sons of the bridal chamber.”

* [5:36–39] See notes on Mt 9:16–17 and Mk 2:19.

* [5:39] The old is good: this saying is meant to be ironic and offers an explanation for the rejection by some of the new wine that Jesus offers: satisfaction with old forms will prevent one from sampling the new. (Luke, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

Rev. John Shea, SJ, asks “so, when do we fast and when do we feast?” Jesus answers by teaching the importance of flexibility.

Sometimes fasting is appropriate. Sometimes feasting is appropriate. We need to discern when to be flexible and when we need to stay the course. When we feel close to God, when we feel peace, joy and consolation, then we recognize the right thing to do and we want to do it. When we feel distant from God, when we feel desolation, then we may need to fast and pray. During these moments of confusion, we turn to God. We ask God to break open our hearts, stretching and expanding our hearts so we can better love God and others. (Shea, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Christ will send you wise men and scribes,” by Clement of Alexandria, 150-215 A.D.

"A scribe is one who, through continual reading of the Old and New Testaments, has laid up for himself a storehouse of knowledge. Thus Christ blesses those who have gathered in themselves the education both of the law and of the gospel, so as to 'bring forth from their treasure things both new and old.' And Christ compares such people with a scribe, just as in another place he says, 'I will send you wise men and scribes' (Matthew 23:34)"(excerpt from FRAGMENT 172) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Paul speaks of missionaries as stewards of the message of God who are entrusted with a vocation. Paul rejects judgement by others for doing the works of God. A lot of time can be spent with difficulty because of our ego and we need to ask If our activity is for me or for the Kingdom. The scribes and Pharisees question Jesus about fasting. The guests do not fast while the bridegroom is with them. We fast for reasons like to exercise discipline, using food in perspective, solidarity with others, in sharing and making Christ the centre, to mourn the death of the beloved, and on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday we fast from things that are too significant in our lives. New patches and new wine skins remind us to separate the new from the old. Friar Jude wonders if the exhortation that “the old is good” is to keep in mind that Judaism is important to Luke in his instruction to the Gentiles. 

The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 comments that we are all “stewards” of the mysteries of God since we are all called to share the treasure of the gospel with the people around us (1 Corinthians 4:1).

There’s always the risk of “breaking a plate,” but don’t let that keep you from trying. Maybe you won’t do everything just right. That’s okay, because nobody’s perfect. And it doesn’t change the fact that God has entrusted you with a great and precious treasure that he wants you to share. He knows you’re an earthen vessel of his grace (2 Corinthians 4:7). But he also knows that his grace is strong and resilient—and you can rely on him!

“Jesus, thank you for entrusting me with the treasures of your gospel!” (Meditation on 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, n.d.)

Father Richard Rohr introduces Theologian M. Shawn Copeland who laments the many people and places that suffer ongoing crucifixion. Copeland points to the compassion that grows in disciples who follow Christ into the world’s suffering.

The crucified Jesus enfleshes for all and for us the very meaning of being human, of being a person who embraces and lives out God’s gracious gift of love and freedom.

“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34–36)…. We who would be his disciples discover our humanity, our personhood in imitation of him—in taking up our cross in order to transform evil into good, for the cross belongs not only to Christ but to all humanity. “He chose it because of us, and we choose it because of him.” [2] We who would be his disciples incarnate the meaning in our own lives by following the moans and tears … into a crucified world, taking up an active, compassionate, solidaristic mission. [3] (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the guidance of the Spirit as we take time to reduce the distractions in our day that tend to divert our attention away from the Way of Full Life.

References

Luke, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 4, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/5?33 

Meditation on 1 Corinthians 4:1-5. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved September 4, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/09/04/1662309/ 

1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved September 4, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/4?1 

Psalms, PSALM 37 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 4, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/37? 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Following Christ Crucified. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 4, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/following-christ-crucified/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Unity of the New and the Old. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 4, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Shea, J. (n.d.). Daily Reflection September 4, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved September 4, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-september-4-2026 

The Bridegroom and Blessing

 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.

Bride Groom and Blessings

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/ 

A Mantle for Love

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to examine the practices in our journey that deepen our commitment to be agents of Jesus’ Love.

Food and Full Life

In the Reading from the Second Book of Kings, Elisha Succeeds Elijah.

* [2:9] Double portion of your spirit: as the firstborn son inherited a double portion of his father’s property (Dt 21:17), so Elisha asks to inherit from Elijah his spirit of prophecy in the degree befitting his principal disciple. In Nm 11:17–25, God bestows some of the spirit of Moses on others.

* [2:12] My father: a religious title accorded prophetic leaders; cf. 6:21; 8:9; and 13:14, where King Joash of Israel reacts to Elisha’s own impending death with the same words Elisha uses here.

* [2:14] The LORD, the God of Elijah—where is he now?: the words in Hebrew have an incantatory quality, as if Elisha is invoking both the divine name and the name of his departed master in an attempt to duplicate Elijah’s miracle. (2 Kings, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 31 presents an anticipatory thanksgiving.

* [Psalm 31] A lament (Ps 31:2–19) with a strong emphasis on trust (Ps 31:4, 6, 15–16), ending with an anticipatory thanksgiving (Ps 31:20–24). As is usual in laments, the affliction is couched in general terms. The psalmist feels overwhelmed by evil people but trusts in the “God of truth” (Ps 31:6). (Psalms, CHAPTER 31 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Sermon on the Mount from the Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus Teaching About Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving.

* [6:1–18] The sermon continues with a warning against doing good in order to be seen and gives three examples, almsgiving (Mt 6:2–4), prayer (Mt 6:5–15), and fasting (Mt 6:16–18). In each, the conduct of the hypocrites (Mt 6:2) is contrasted with that demanded of the disciples. The sayings about reward found here and elsewhere (Mt 5:12, 46; 10:41–42) show that this is a genuine element of Christian moral exhortation. Possibly to underline the difference between the Christian idea of reward and that of the hypocrites, the evangelist uses two different Greek verbs to express the rewarding of the disciples and that of the hypocrites; in the latter case it is the verb apechō, a commercial term for giving a receipt for what has been paid in full (Mt 6:2, 5, 16).

* [6:2] The hypocrites: the scribes and Pharisees, see Mt 23:13, 15, 23, 25, 27, 29. The designation reflects an attitude resulting not only from the controversies at the time of Jesus’ ministry but from the opposition between Pharisaic Judaism and the church of Matthew. They have received their reward: they desire praise and have received what they were looking for.

* [6:16] The only fast prescribed in the Mosaic law was that of the Day of Atonement (Lv 16:31), but the practice of regular fasting was common in later Judaism; cf. Didache 9:1. (Matthew, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

Greg Dyche thinks the main question is who are you asking to look, people or God?  Elisha is not a hypocrite. He’s not saying “look, look”. 

 

Jesus is instructing me about intent, “Take care not to perform … in order that people may see” me. I find it difficult to help and ignore the feeling of “look, look”. I used to avoid serving to avoid the temptation.  I have come to believe my own weakness is not a good enough reason to stay out of the game, to not help. I trust I am a work in progress. 

 

In closing, I’d like to invite you to look into the names of Elijah and Elisha, and how they tell a story of what is happening in the New Testament. Elijah translates as “God is Yahweh.” And Elisha roughly translates as “God is Salvation.” By Elisha asking for a double portion, it’s saying Salvation is the firstborn of Yahweh. (Dyche, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Pray with the angels,” by John Chrysostom, 347-407 A.D.

"When you pray, it is as if you were entering into a palace - not a palace on earth, but far more awesome, a palace in heaven. When you enter there, you do so with complete attentiveness and fitting respect. For in the houses of kings all turmoil is set aside, and silence reigns. Yet here you are being joined by choirs of angels. You are in communion with archangels and singing with the seraphim, who sing with great awe their spiritual hymns and sacred songs to God, the Lord of all. So when you are praying, mingle with these voices, patterning yourself according to their mystical order. It is not to human beings that you are praying but to God, who is present everywhere, who hears even before you speak and who knows already the secrets of the heart. If you pray to this One, you shall receive a great reward. 'For your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly.' He did not merely say he would give it to you but reward you, as if he himself had made a pledge to you and so honored you with a great honor. Because God himself is hidden, your prayer should be hidden." (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 19.3) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 comments that we know that fasting is good for us. It helps cleanse our mind of selfish thoughts, and it teaches us the virtue of self-denial. It’s also obvious that almsgiving is good for the poor and the hungry. But those are all “practical” rewards. There are even deeper rewards that God gives us when we practice them.

There’s nothing wrong with seeking the rewards that come from a life of holiness. After all, these rewards reach far more deeply into our hearts and are far more valuable than the rewards that come from selfish acts. In fact, they give us the greatest reward of all: they make us more like Jesus. Who wouldn’t want that?

“Father, I am so grateful that you see and reward me, even in my private acts of love and generosity!” (Meditation on Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the reading from 2 Kings presents the story of Elijah taken up into heaven and how Elisha succeeds him. The guild prophets are told to stay but Elisha joins Elijah. Elisha asks for a double portion of Elijah’s gifts. He receives his request and can return by crossing the Jordan using Elijah’s mantle. The understanding at this time was that Heaven was not a place for people. The idea of heaven was very unusual. Three figures, Moses, Elijah and Enock who walked with God, are attributed to have had unusual deaths. Apocalyptic books are attributed to these figures who have special knowledge of heaven. The passage from the Gospel of Matthew is part of Jesus' Sermon On the Mount and it is in the context of the question of the Jewish people about how to be forgiven when the Temple is destroyed. Jesus' answer directs us to almsgiving, fasting and prayer. We are instructed to do it with the Spirit and hide it even from ourselves. Friar Jude reminds us to seek a turning of our hearts rather than a showing of pride. We seek poverty of spirit as opposed to arrogance and self righteousness.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Church historian Diana Butler Bass who recounts how some early Christians lived their faith in the way of Jesus. Throughout the first five centuries people understood Christianity primarily as a way of life in the present, not as a doctrinal system, esoteric belief, or promise of eternal salvation. By followers enacting Jesus’s teachings, Christianity changed and improved the lives of its adherents and served as a practical spiritual pathway. This way—and earliest Christians were called “the People of the Way”—bettered existence for countless ancient believers.

Yet love is what Jesus preached—and what he embodied. In the early church, devout Christians tried to embody God’s love and to experience God in such a way that love reshaped their lives. “Love for God is ecstatic, making us go out from ourselves,” wrote Dionysios the Areopagite around 500; “it does not allow the lover to belong anymore to himself [or herself], but he [or she] belongs only to the Beloved.” Not all Christians achieved this; they too struggled with loving God. But Romans frequently criticized the Christian emphasis on love as somehow a little deluded and perhaps prurient, suggesting that followers of the Jesus Way made it known that theirs was a path of love. Early Christians insisted that love—not rationality or politics or even virtue—was the primary bond between God and human beings. Love was God’s symphony, the perfect beauty that human beings experienced through practices of faith—by imitating Christ and following his way. (Rohr, n.d.)

We invoke the Spirit to remind us that “they will know we are Christians by our love” that is energized by our almsgiving, fasting, and prayer.

References

Dyche, G. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved June 17, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-june-17-2026 

Matthew, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 17, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/6? 

Meditation on Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved June 17, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/06/17/1593648/ 

Psalms, CHAPTER 31 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved June 17, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/31?20 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Christianity: A Love Song. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved June 17, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/christianity-a-love-song/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). When You Pray, Fast, and Give Alms. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 17, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

2 Kings, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved June 17, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2kings/2?1