The Bridegroom and Fasting - Part 2

GOSPEL OF ST. MARK, 2, 18-22      THE BRIDEGROOM & FASTING - PART 2

But Jesus announces that the Bridegroom will be taken away from them, “By oppression and judgment he was taken away” (Is. 53, 8), a Greek word which recalls and suggests a violent death.⁴  This is the first reference he makes to his passion and death.⁵  Then when he is taken away then the disciples will fast for, indeed, there is reason for great sorrow. It is in this spirit, in association with the sufferings and death of Jesus, that the Church orders times of fasting and penance.⁶ 

“…His appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, And His form beyond that of the sons of men—so shall He startle many nations… He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; Upon Him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with His stripes we are healed." (Is 52, 14.15.; 53, 3-6)

"…the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and spit upon him, and scourge him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise.”  (Mk 10, 33-34)

As Bride of Jesus, my “Crucified and Risen Spouse on whom you ought to hold your eyes fixed always”,⁷ I gaze upon Him as I read in the gospels undergoing His tortuous Passion and Death that He embraced  with such ardent love:

“I came to cast fire upon the earth; and would that it were already kindled!  I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how I am constrained until it is accomplished!”  (Lk 12, 49-50)

⁴ THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK Text and Commentary for Students, Alexander Jones, Geoffrey Chapman, 1965, pg. 79

⁵ THE NAVARRE BIBLE ST. MARK Texts and Commentaries, Four Courts Press, pg. 82

⁶ A CATHOLIC COMMENTARY ON HOLY SCRIPTURE, Thomas Nelson and Sons, Ltd, St. Mark’s Gospel no. 728d

⁷ RULE AND CONSTITUTIONS of the Discalced nuns of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, 1991, TO THE DISCALCED CARMELITE NUNS UPON THE APPROVAL OF THEIR FUNDAMENTAL LEGISLATION, Pope St. John Paul II, pg. 12 no. 4