Monday, January 18, 2021 - Second week of Ordinary Time - It is alive, effective, the word of God; it judges the intentions and thoughts of the heart - Gospel of Jesus Christ according to St. Mark 2, 18-22

Christ has always had opponents, even when He did good works. Yet He did not hesitate or retreat, but rather strengthened His unity with His disciples. He brought the Good News to His opponents. As Mark points out, there are two cases of life that Christ faced. The first is that He was merciful to the paralytic, brought by four men to be healed, and where the scribes called him "blasphemers". We find this passage in Saint Mark 2, 1-12.

The second is the one we have just heard. Christ does not tire of lavishing new things on his adversaries, so that they may realise that Christ is truly building up new life. No one mends an old garment with a new piece of cloth, He says. Not that Christ teaches them to disobey the established order and customs, but to teach them to consider humanity. Christ draws their attention to the parable of marriage here. Isn't it madness to fast during a feast when one is well? "As long as they have the Bridegroom with them, they cannot fast". The disciples are in the joy of being with Christ, so He does not allow them to suffer or die of hunger. We too are encouraged by the Gospel to walk always with Christ, so that we may overcome those who oppose us, for we already have Christ as our guarantee.