Gospels explained by Jesus - Gospel messages, gospels explanation |
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Mark 2:18-22
Year B -
8th Sunday in ordinary time
New wine, fresh skins
Fasting has been a very powerful way to prepare the soul to meet the spirit. In fact I taught my apostles that some kind of evil spirits would only come out by prayer and fasting.
But fasting does not impress God if it is done publicly or if it is not accompanied by good works. Through the prophet Isaiah (58:3-7) fasting was shown to be ineffective for not being done with the proper intention. No one can expect to be heard on high simply by fasting, in fact nothing attracts my attention unless it is done with love. I will not listen to anyone simply because they empty their stomachs, I prefer to listen to those who come to me humbly with a repentant heart and a loving disposition towards their neighbor. My apostles did not need to fast because they were with me and I was preparing them for greater sufferings than fasting. Instead of fasting they were being purified by my words which teach you everything you need to know. I said to them on different occasions that what I desire is mercy, not sacrifice (Mat 9:13, Mat 12:7) However fasting is very good to obtain mastery over passions, until you can learn to fast with your eyes and with all your senses. My teachings found a lot of opposition from the teachers of religion of the time, they could not assimilate my words because they were stuck in their old erroneous ways. They ended doing all those ritualistic things to impress each other, not God. I came to renew the world, to prepare new skins for the new wine of the kingdom of heaven.
Received by: Joseph
of Jesus and Mary
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18 Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and people came and said to him, "Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?"
