While the disciples of John the Baptist and the Pharisees fasted regularly,

Jesus' disciples did not.

They viewed the disciples' actions unconventional.

Whenever the Pharisees confronted Jesus about His disciples' behavior,

He firmly defended them by shifting the focus

from rigid external rules to internal heart attitudes.

  

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Let everyone,

Then, see us as the servants of Christ, and stewards of the secret works of God. Being stewards,

faithfulness shall be demanded of us; but I do not mind if you, or any human court, judges me.

I do not even judge myself; my conscience, indeed, does not accuse me of anything,

but that is not enough for me to be set right with God: the Lord is the one who judges me.

Therefore, do not judge before the time, until the coming of the Lord.

He will bring to light whatever was hidden in darkness, and will disclose the secret intentions of the hearts.

Then, each one will receive praise from God.

 

Ps 37:3-4, 5-6, 27-28, 39-40

The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

Luke 5:33-39

Some people asked him, "The disciples of John fast often and say long prayers,

and so do the disciples of the Pharisees. Why is it that your disciples eat and drink?"

Then Jesus said to them, "You can't make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them.

But later, the bridegroom will be taken from them; and they will fast in those days."

 

Jesus also told them this parable: "No one tears a piece from a new coat to put it on an old one;

otherwise the new coat will be torn, and the piece taken from the new coat will not match the old coat.

No one puts new wine into old wine skins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and be spilled,

and the skins will be destroyed as well. But new wine must be put into fresh skins. Yet,

no one who has tasted old wine is eager to drink new wine, but says, "the old is good."

 

Gospel Reflection ：

Be open to things that can bring change.

It is but human to be apprehensive and to feel fear about trying something new.

We are most comfortable with the usual and the tested. That is why the Scribes

and Pharisees were uncomfortable with how Jesus' disciples behaved and could not accept his teachings.

They are out of line with the usual, so they complain to Jesus. Moreover,

 

even if they understand something, they still cannot accept it because they prefer their own will.

A proud person often cannot see anything good except his work.

May our minds and hearts always be open to things that can bring change for the better.

The word of God is powerful. Truth, peace, and great blessings are brought to those who meditate on and live it.