Today’s readings focus on the identity of God as the author of change. The Gospel is a continuation of the story we had yesterday regarding the conversion of St. Matthew. Jesus changed his life totally. Through yesterday’ Gospel, we understand that change is a gift for the good of the individual and for the common good. When we are confronted with God who is full of mercy and holiness, we are prompted to change because we would feel unworthy before Him. Conversion is the sign of a change of heart which is termed as metanoia. It directs our hearts towards God and neighbor. John Paul II said: “It did so because it wished to recognize and proclaim the fact that there can be no union among people without an internal change in each individual. Personal conversion is the necessary path to harmony between individuals.” (Reconciliatio et Paenitentia 4). Today’s readings will help us understand the identity of Jesus and the reasons why we should change. There are 4 important things to remember.

First, God is the author of change. We were told that when the disciples of John approached Jesus and said: “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” This question prompts us to think that Jesus can change the religious practices of the Jews. Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophets and the law, therefore there is no need to fast because they have already found the one spoken of in the Old Testament. People fast in the Old Testament because of sins, grief, deliverance, protection, guidance and prayer. And since Jesus is already in their company, they need not fast. This is what biblical scholars call the “biblical convergence.” It is understood as “the principle of convergence entails letting the broadest and most varied amount of biblical witness come to bear on the theological question at issue.” It is God who can change and fulfill His plans.

Second, Jesus is the Image and Presence of God. When Jesus was asked by the disciples of John, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus’ answer was: “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.” This answer illustrates the identity of Jesus as the God who is now with us (Emmanuel). God is no longer unreachable but a God who lives among us. Jesus would like to demonstrate to the disciples that the reason for their fasting is now in their company. Fasting comes when we lose the presence of God or failed to acknowledge his presence.

Third, Jesus is the Way towards the Messianic Kingdom. When Jesus said: “The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast,” He was referring to a future event. Jesus is the fulfillment of the messianic prophecies of the past as well as the way and future of the messianic kingdom. Jesus is subtly introducing Himself as the future of humankind. Life is all about fulfilment, completion, consummation, and fulness. “there is no need to fast” meant there is the fullness of life and it is a future event.

Fourth, God is above any form of cultural value. The first reading today is prophetic story of two future realities. First, the transfer of inheritance from Isau to Jacob was symbolic of God giving his favor no longer to the Pharisees or to the Jews but to those who will be the disciples of Christ in the future. Second, God is above any culture and any cultural value. We might have our own beliefs system or cultural value but if to express the genuineness of faith, we have to give up our cultural systems of belief in favor of the Gospel which could even perfect and enhance our cultural values. Pope Francis reminded us: “We must be bold enough to discover new signs and new symbols, new flesh to embody and communicate the word, and different forms of beauty which are valued in different cultural settings, including those unconventional modes of beauty which may mean little to the evangelizers, yet prove particularly attractive for others.” (Evangelii Gaudium 167).