From today’s Scripture: “The scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, ‘The disciples of John the Baptist fast often and offer prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same; but yours eat and drink.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Can you make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.’” — Lk 5:33-35

The Pharisees are beside themselves because Jesus is not following the prescribed rules of conduct. They don’t realize that Jesus has come to bring something radically different to the world. The Pharisees can’t appreciate what they have in their midst.  They are stuck in their rituals of the past and expect others to do the same. “Live in the present” seems to be Jesus’ message. Celebrate the presence of the Lord. It can be a challenge for me in the 21st century to truly celebrate Jesus’ presence in the Mass, but like Peter in the previous day’s reading, we have to continue to try.

Let us pray: Dear Lord, our faith gives us so much to be grateful for; help me to keep those gifts in mind when I pray. Let me appreciate these gifts more while I fast. Let my fasting be cheerful.

Today’s author is Mike Schneider, Glenmary’s former treasurer and chief administrator.

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