From today’s Scripture: “‘Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?’”—Mk 2:18-19

Jesus cleverly picked a wedding as an example of inappropriate fasting. Many of us choose to fast from certain food, drink, or other pleasures as a spiritual practice, perhaps during Lent or on a retreat or pilgrimage. However, our bishop is always asked if those who celebrate St. Patrick’s Day can break their fast from meat when the saint’s feast day falls on a Lenten Friday. His answer is always yes, acknowledging the importance of celebrating one’s spiritual heritage rather than being overly scrupulous about breaking an otherwise valued practice.

Let us pray: Lord, your teaching and actions remind us that the law exists for people, not people for the law. Help us be wise in the ways we fast so that we may more fully benefit from this valuable spiritual practice.

Today’s author is Bill Goodwin, a volunteer writer who has served at the Glenmary Farm and at a mission parish and later worked at the Glenmary Research Center.

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