Paul shares in today’s reading that Christ is the author of Creation. It is through His life that we need to reinterpret our own. Through Jesus’ life, we discover what it truly means to be human. This makes sense when we understand that Christ is both human and divine—He is the bridge between humanity and divinity.

Colossians 1:15-20

15 Brothers and sisters, Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the Body, the Church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the Blood of his cross through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.

Psalm 100:1-2, 3, 4, 5

R: Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.

1 Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; 2 serve the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful song. (R) 3 Know that the Lord is God; he made us, his we are; his people, the flock he tends. (R) 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, his courts with praise; give thanks to him; bless his name. (R) 5 For he is good, the Lord, whose kindness endures forever, and his faithfulness, to all generations. (R)

GOSPEL

Our motivation for doing penitential acts is the key ingredient; fasting and doing penance should not be the focus. We need to get past the legalism of years gone by and embrace a personal relationship with Jesus, including penances as an integral part of that relationship.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.

Luke 5:33-39

33 The scribes and the Pharisees said to Jesus, “The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same; but yours eat and drink.” 34 Jesus answered them, “Can you make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? 35 But the days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.” 36 And he also told them a parable. “No one tears a piece from a new cloak to patch an old one. Otherwise, he will tear the new and the piece from it will not match the old cloak. 37 Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined. 38 Rather, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins. 39 And no one who has been drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’”

think: What is your reason for fasting? What moves you to go to confession?

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THE MEAL MINISTRY

A controversy erupted in today’s Gospel. The disciples of John and the Pharisees fast often, but the disciples of Jesus often eat and drink.

If we look at Jesus’ ministry, He loves to eat. The Gospels are filled with stories of meals and celebrations that Jesus shared with friends and strangers: the multiplication of loaves, the feeding of thousands, dinner at Zacchaeus’s house, dinner at Martha and Mary’s home, the wedding at Cana, and so on.

Jesus confronts those who questioned Him, “Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?” Jesus knows how to behave in a certain situation. He knows there is a proper time for everything.

When it is time for feasting, you feast; when it is time for fasting, you fast. Going against what the situation demands will isolate you. When others see you in a queer mood, it turns them off. The idea of acting naturally in a given situation is to make friends with the people around you. Doing this gives you the privilege of bringing them to Jesus. In fact, one of the most effective ways to make friends is at mealtime.

Let me share a personal story. I arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from an early morning flight. I was having a hard time looking for a vacant table where to take my breakfast. I found one occupied by two ladies. I asked them if I could join them. I couldn’t help but hear their conversations in Cebuano. They were wondering if I am single, trying to look for a wedding ring on my finger. When I was done eating, I told them in Cebuano, “Miss, pari man ko” (I’m a priest). They did not know that I speak the dialect.

When we were in the waiting bay, they gladly invited me to join them so they could bring me to my destination. That friendly conversation went on because of that meal encounter.

Fast when it is time for fasting; feast when it’s time for feasting. The meal ministry can go a long way. Fr. Haluendo Amit, OCD

------- REFLECTION QUESTION -------

Have you tried doing the meal ministry? Try it now if you haven’t.

Dearest God, give me the courage to share You with every person I encounter today. Amen.

Today, I pray for: __________________________________________________________