Matthew 9: 14-15 – Friday after Ash Wednesday (King James Audio Bible, Spoken Word)
14 ¶ Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?
15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
Many of the Jews of Christ’s time, including the disciples of John the Baptist, followed complicated rituals of fasting and purification, elaborated to the point where they could obscure genuine piety. It is noted that the followers of Christ do not follow such rituals. This must have seemed particularly strange to the followers of John. After all, John foretold Christ’s coming and saw that he was the Messiah as he began his ministry. Later, John’s uncertainty is such that he will send from prison to ask Christ if he is indeed the one who is to come. The reality of Christ present and the manner of his ministry must have been confusing and troubling to the Jews.
In reply, Jesus presents a radical overturning of Jewish orthodoxy. He is not come to patch an old garment with new cloth or to place new wine in old bottles. Christ’s message is not merely a tinkering with or adjustment of the old ways of the Jews. Instead, the salvation he brings involves a complete regeneration. His presence is a challenge to discover our true relationship with God.
Christ declares himself as the bridegroom. His followers are the ‘children of the bride chamber’, the sons of the house where the wedding is celebrated, the bridegroom’s closest friends. Our union with Christ is the wedding. We are Christ’s bride. In the Gospel of John (3: 28-30), John the Baptist affirms this, saying, as being himself the friend of the bridegroom:
28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
Christ foretells his being taken away from his followers and says that then they will fast, just as Christ himself has fasted during his forty days in the wilderness. So we too fast as we await the coming banquet. Our ways of fasting should, then, be true to the simplicity of faith Christ gives to us, and true not to ritual or empty observances but to our genuine longing to be with Christ in the life to come.
Lord God, help me to see how fasting helps me to recognize that my true longing is for you and that no amount of food or drink can satisfy it.
King James Audio Bible | Endnotes
How is Jesus the Bridegroom?
The dialogue between Jesus and the disciples of John the Baptist in Matthew 9:14-15 reveals much about Jesus’ mission and identity. The disciples’ question about fasting highlights their adherence to Jewish traditions and practices, and their expectation that Jesus’ disciples should follow suit. However, Jesus’ response challenges their assumptions and reveals his role as the bridegroom of a new covenant.
Jesus’ use of the bridegroom metaphor is significant for several reasons. First, it positions him as the central figure in a wedding celebration, a joyous occasion associated with the coming of the kingdom of God. This is a marked departure from the somber and penitent practices of fasting that the disciples of John the Baptist and the Pharisees observed. Jesus’ emphasis on celebration and feasting is consistent with his broader message of the coming of the kingdom of God, which he often described as a banquet or a wedding feast (see, for example, Matthew 22:1-14).
Second, the bridegroom metaphor also suggests a deeper level of intimacy and connection between Jesus and his followers. In Jewish tradition, the image of God as a husband or lover to Israel was a common one, emphasizing the covenantal relationship between God and his people. By invoking this imagery, Jesus is inviting his disciples and followers into a similar relationship of intimacy and commitment to him.
Third, the bridegroom metaphor foreshadows Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the Cross. Just as a bridegroom willingly gives himself up for the sake of his bride, Jesus will give his life for the salvation of humanity. The Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed before his crucifixion, is a poignant reminder of this sacrifice. In Gethsemane, Jesus experienced profound anguish and turmoil as he faced the weight of what lay ahead of him. Yet, in his submission to God’s will, he demonstrated the depth of his love for us and his commitment to his mission as the bridegroom.
The Parable of the Prodigal Son is relevant to the themes in Matthew 9:14-15, particularly in its portrayal of forgiveness and reconciliation. The wayward son’s return to his father represents the possibility of repentance and restoration, even for those who have strayed from God’s path. In this sense, the parable highlights the transformative power of Jesus’ message and the invitation he extends to all to become part of the wedding feast.
The broader context of Jesus’ teachings and ministry is relevant to understanding Matthew 9:14-15. The Sermon on the Mount, for example, provides a blueprint for the new covenant that Jesus came to establish. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus emphasizes the importance of internal attitudes and motivations, such as humility, mercy, and purity of heart, over external practices and rituals. This emphasis on the heart aligns with the bridegroom metaphor and underscores the depth of relationship and commitment into which Jesus invites his followers.
The poem reflects an inner struggle between rebellion and submission to divine authority, expressing the poet’s desire to resist God but also recognition of the futility of doing so. The first stanza presents the poet’s rebellious spirit, where he admits to wanting to die, fight, or deny God’s influence over him. This opposition to God’s control is portrayed as a natural inclination of the poet’s heart, which he acknowledges as a stronghold that resists divine authority. However, the poet also requests that God tame his heart, recognizing that the ultimate skill or ‘highest art’ of God is to bring even the strongest opposition into submission. This sets the poem’s central theme of rebellion versus surrender [ … ]
John 4:13-14 (KJV) ‘Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.’ Introduction to the Life of Saint Bernadette Saint Bernadette Soubirous, a humble peasant girl from Lourdes, France, lived her life of faith, humility, and divine grace. Born on January 7, 1844, in the small town of Lourdes, Bernadette was the eldest of nine children in a poor and struggling family. Her father, François Soubirous, was a miller, and her mother, Louise, a laundress. The family lived in a former prison cell known as the Cachot, a damp and cramped space, according to their dire financial situation. Despite their poverty, the Soubirous family was deeply rooted in their Christian faith, a foundation that would profoundly shape Bernadette’s life and spiritual journey. Bernadette’s early years were marked by significant health challenges. She suffered from asthma and other respiratory ailments, which often left her weak and unable to attend school regularly. This lack of formal education meant that Bernadette struggled with reading and writing, and her understanding of Christian doctrine was limited. Nevertheless, she possessed a remarkable simplicity and purity of heart, qualities that would make her an ideal recipient of divine revelations. Bernadette’s life changed irrevocably on February 11, 1858, when she experienced the first of eighteen apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the grotto of Massabielle. On that cold winter day, Bernadette, her sister Toinette, and a friend were gathering firewood near the grotto when she heard a rustling sound and saw a beautiful lady dressed in white with a blue sash, holding a rosary. The lady, who later identified herself as the Immaculate Conception, appeared to Bernadette over the course of several months, delivering messages of penance, prayer, and the need for a chapel to be built at the site. Despite initial skepticism from her family and the local authorities, Bernadette remained steadfast in her account of the apparitions, enduring intense scrutiny and even ridicule. The apparitions drew enormous attention. Soon, people from all over France and beyond began to visit Lourdes, hoping to witness a miracle. One of the most significant messages conveyed by the Virgin Mary to Bernadette was the instruction to dig in the ground near the grotto, which led to the discovery of a spring. This spring, believed to have healing properties, became the focal point of the pilgrimage to Lourdes. Many miraculous healings have been attributed to the waters of Lourdes, reinforcing the belief in Bernadette’s visions and the sanctity of the site. As the apparitions concluded, Bernadette’s life took a different turn. In 1866, she joined the Sisters of Charity in Nevers, taking the name Sister Marie-Bernard. Her time in the convent was marked by continued poor health and humility, as she carried out menial tasks and lived a life of quiet service. Despite her physical suffering, Bernadette remained devout and accepted her hardships with grace, often repeating the phrase, “I am happier here in my little corner of the convent.” Her unwavering faith and dedication to her religious duties exemplified the depth of her spiritual commitment. Bernadette Soubirous passed away on April 16, 1879, at the age of 35, after a prolonged battle with tuberculosis. Her legacy, however, endured far beyond her earthly life. In 1933, she was canonized as a saint by Pope Pius XI, recognized for her humility, faith, and the miraculous events associated with her life. Today, millions of pilgrims flock to Lourdes each year, seeking spiritual renewal and physical healing at the site of her visions. Saint Bernadette’s life continues to inspire countless individuals around the world, reminding us of the power of faith, the virtue of humility, and the enduring presence of divine grace in our lives. To Visit Lourdes Visiting Lourdes, in the picturesque foothills of the Pyrenees in southwestern France, is an experience that transcends the physical journey, drawing pilgrims into a profound spiritual adventure. The small town, known for the Marian apparitions witnessed by Saint Bernadette Soubirous in 1858, has become one of the world’s most revered pilgrimage sites. As we approach the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, the atmosphere is imbued with a palpable sense of reverence and anticipation. The grand basilicas, the tranquil Grotto of Massabielle and the gently flowing waters of the miraculous spring together create a sacred environment that invites reflection, prayer, and a deep connection with the divine. The focal point of any visit to Lourdes is the Grotto, where Bernadette experienced the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Here, pilgrims can touch the rock face, light candles, and drink or bathe in the spring’s water, believed to possess healing properties. The profound silence and sense of sacredness at the Grotto allow visitors to contemplate their faith, seek solace and find spiritual renewal. The Rosary Basilica, with its mosaics, and the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, perched above the Grotto, offer spaces for communal worship and personal meditation. The nightly candlelight processions, where pilgrims from around the globe unite in prayer and song, highlight the universal bond of faith and hope that Lourdes represents. Beyond its physical beauty and historical significance, visiting Lourdes offers a deeply personal and transformative experience. Pilgrims often arrive burdened with ailments, grief, or spiritual crises, seeking comfort and miracles. The stories of healing and faith that emerge from Lourdes are testimonies to the enduring power of belief and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The communal aspect of the pilgrimage—sharing meals, prayers, and stories with fellow believers—fosters a sense of solidarity and mutual support. For many, the visit to Lourdes is a journey of healing, not only of the body but also of the soul, providing a renewed sense of purpose, peace, and spiritual clarity that lingers long after returning home. Prayer With Saint Bernadette Prayer for Intercession Dear […]
This homily conveys the early Church’s wonder at the mystery of salvation. Its tone is both exhortative and contemplative, combining gratitude with a call to deeper awareness of what Christ has done for humanity. The preacher invites his listeners to recognise the full scope of their redemption and to live in proportion to so great a mercy [ … ]
