The days will come

“‘Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.’” (MT 9: 15)

Fasting has a long tradition in the spiritual life, not just in the Catholic Church. Fasting is universal. Our Lord gave us a special rule for fasting: whenever we feel abandoned or rejected, whenever we feel more like “wake guests” than “wedding guests” or when we feel that “the bridegroom is taken away from us,” “then we should fast.” Fasting opens our eyes to the inner world.

“My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord. I know them, and they follow me.” (Gospel Acclamation)