Mark 2:18-19
The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast. People came to him and objected, "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? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast.
Origen, an ancient Christian author and theologian from what is today Egypt, quoted an oral tradition of Jesus saying, "Who is close to me is close to the fire; who is far from me is far from the Kingdom." The encounter with Jesus Christ should sear our souls, and should set us ablaze with love for Christ and the announcement of his Kingdom, it should give us wings to our feet. This is the problem that the Pharisees are having in seeing the way that Jesus is living his life in what appears to be weakening the observant practices of 1st century Judaism. Jesus of Nazareth is the self-announcement of God's love and mercy to the world, who speaks to us, and teaches us in his words and deeds from the Sacred Scriptures. This Kingdom of God that Jesus Christ announced and ushered in is one of love and mercy, but also one that movies us forward in our lives to live close to the fire of his announcement rather than merely following law or obligation. Stay close to the fire, stay close to the Kingdom, stay close to Jesus by always connecting our religious practices to his love and mercy, and our future with him.
Get to know our seminarians! Today's reflection was written by:
Deacon Joshua Bertrand
Home parish: USF Catholic Student Center / Corpus Christi
Did you know...
I'm currently studying Dogmatic Theology at the Gregorian University in Rome, and being formed to be a priest for the Diocese of St. Petersburg at the Pontifical North American College.
Pray with us for the men and women discerning the priesthood and religious life. To pray for our seminarians by name or to find out more about the Diocese of St. Petersburg vocations office, click here.
