Friday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
The Pharisees compared Jesus’ disciples with those of John. They questioned why Jesus’ disciples didn’t fast and offer prayers in the way John’s and their disciples did. Jesus gives a classic response. “Can you make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?” Jesus was pointing out that there is a proper time, place, and order to the disciplines a disciple undertakes. It is not enough to fast and pray. One must celebrate the Bridegroom who is Jesus.
The Pharisees and the scribes were asking a question premised on unjust judgment. Judgment has to be reserved for the proper time, and that is when God deems it to be so. We are called to point out things that are unjust. It is not an act of judgment to call something wrong that is indeed wrong. Nonetheless, we are called to focus on our true calling as disciples; to be “servants of Christ.” So many twelve-step programs end with a call for people to go out and serve others. If you have done the Exodus 90 program, you know it ends with a certain call to service. If you persevere through the program you are then “free to serve” others as a better Christian disciple. This is a fundamental truth of the Christian life. We are not meant to stay locked away to ourselves, loving God in our own little bubble. We are meant to serve others if we truly love Christ. This is our blessing and obligation as Christians.
If we don’t serve others, we miss out on the model of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples. This wasn’t a simple act we can novelize or ignore. All four Gospels have an account of the Last Supper. John’s Gospel is the last of the four, and only John recounts how Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. What was this act but a call to charity and service?! This call to service seems to be like the “old wine” Jesus mentions today in the Gospel. Whatever the era, people always seem to be inspired when they see authentic Christians serving people. It is like the “old wine” which is “always good.”
Reflection: What form of Christian service are you being called to now? Take this to prayer. If you are not serving others how can you serve Jesus?
Reflection by Br. Matthew Marie, OSB
Posted in Articles for Lent, Daily Reflections, Lenten Resources