Res Biblica

1. The gospel story in Mark 2:18-22 gives us a peek into the lifestyle of Jesus and this disciples. Read the story and take note of the following ideas: fasting as a mark of a religious group, the characteristics of a wedding feast and why no fasting is done in it, the requirements in a wedding feast: clothes fitted for the occassion and wine.
2. Jesus was characterized as a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners during his ministry.(cf. Mt. 11:19) That he and his disciples never fast is in complete contrast with that of other more austere religious groups. Jesus explains the reason for his party-going-like-attitude in this way: the disciples cannot fast because they live in a moment like that of a wedding feast where the bridegroom is with them. Jesus is the bridegroom. Do you remember passages in the NT where Jesus is characterized as a bridegroom? Enumerate the passsages.
3. Clothes fitted for a wedding and wine are requirements for a wedding feast. Jesus makes present the day when God weds Israel to himself (cf. Hos. 2:16-22) Vv. 21-22 are to be understood within the context of this idea. In other words, if the occassion is God's wedding, how should the invited guests be?