United in Glory

The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast. People came to Jesus and objected, "Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" Jesus answered them, "Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day. No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak. If he does, its fullness pulls away, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse. Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are ruined. Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins." 

Lord Jesus, you have removed yourself from us for a time. We long to see you and spend eternity with you in heaven. While we await this everlasting joy, we long for your presence. The disciples of John and the Pharisees were awaiting the promises foretold, so they fasted. Lord Jesus, your disciples believed that you were the promise foretold, so they had no reason to sacrifice because you were with them. We, in turn, Lord, are awaiting your return to us, so we fast. When we are united in glory there will be no reason to fast; we shall be with you always, never to be separated again. Amen.