Timing is everything

January 19, 2026 Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Daily Readings: 1 Samuel 15:16-23; Mark 2:18–22

Children of God: During the time of Jesus, a bridegroom’s pre-wedding preparation was very different from what we know today. The groom did not wait quietly in one place for the ceremony to begin. Instead, he would leave to prepare the home, gather resources, and make arrangements so the bride could be properly welcomed. His absence mattered. It signaled that the joyful moment had not yet fully arrived, and this waiting was often marked by restraint, discipline, and even fasting. When the bridegroom finally appeared, it meant the celebration could begin.

In contrast, modern weddings reverse the symbolism. Today, the groom is already waiting at the altar, while the bride is the last one to walk down the aisle.  And oh, take note: the spotlight is already on the bride’s entrance, not the groom’s arrival. 

In the world of Jesus, however, the dramatic moment was the return of the bridegroom. His presence transformed waiting into rejoicing. That is why fasting made sense when he was away, and feasting was natural when he was present. His arrival changed everything.

This cultural image is used by Jesus to explain why his disciples do not fast like the others. He presents himself as the bridegroom whose presence turns ordinary time into a season of joy. What, then, are our inspirations for today?

First, the presence of Jesus changes the meaning of religious practices.

Jesus asks, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?” (Mark 2:19) The question answers itself. Fasting, which is usually a sign of longing or repentance, loses its meaning when the one longed for is already present. Jesus continues by saying that the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away, and then they will fast (Mark 2:20). 

This shows that discipline still has a place, but it must be rooted in relationship. Fasting is meaningful only when it expresses genuine longing for God, not when it is done simply because it is expected.

This invites us to examine our own religious habits. Do our practices express love and relationship, or are they performed mechanically? The presence of Jesus calls us to live our faith as a response to a living relationship.

Second, new life cannot be contained in old ways without transformation.

Jesus speaks of sewing a piece of new cloth onto an old cloak. Naturalmente, the result is damage, not repair. Newness has its own demands, and forcing it into old frameworks leads to loss rather than growth.

This challenges us to ask whether we are open to the newness Jesus brings. Faith is not about preserving the past at all costs but about allowing God to renew us from within. When our hearts are renewed, practices, structures, and habits also find new life.

Children of God: Today, we are reminded that faith is about timing, presence, and openness to change. When Jesus is present, life becomes a celebration, and when he calls us to wait, our waiting becomes meaningful. May we be renewed wineskins, ready to receive the new life he offers.