Jesus tells the Pharisees that His disciples will fast after He's gone, but they will do it differently. The fasting of the old covenant is not compatible with the new covenant, so a new kind of fasting is necessary (Mt 9:16-17). We are all "creatures of habit." The question is: will the habits be good or bad?

Jesus wants to give us new and good habits. We should begin eating with new people, even sinners and tax collectors (Mt 9:10). We are to begin a rhythm of feasting and fasting on certain days, centering around Sunday, the Resurrection Day. We must eat more frequently with "beggars and the crippled, the lame and the blind" (Lk 14:13). We should rarely eat alone. We may avoid eating at night so that our "break-fast" is truly breaking a fast. We should fast more extensively for a day or two each week. We can make the most of the Communion fast by skipping a meal, so we become conscious of fasting and aren't just going by the letter of the law.

As our patterns and habits of eating change, so will our patterns of thinking, praying, and being. When we change, the world changes and is recreated into the image and likeness of Christ.

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 22, 2007

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