Monday of the
Second Week in Ordinary Time
(I Samuel 15:16-23; Mark 2:18-22)
In 1964 Martin Luther King, Jr. published Why We Can’t Wait. The book answers a question of the time, “Why
are Blacks causing so much civil unrest?” Echoing Abraham Lincoln, Dr. King replied that
no man or woman can exist half-slave and half-free. Such a condition thwarts the mind and kills
the soul. The question answered by King resembles
the one posed to Jesus in today’s gospel.
The people wonder why Jesus’ followers never fast from
food and drink. They point to the
Pharisees’ disciples who enthusiastically do so. Jesus’ answer indicates the breath of his
mission. He tells the people that the
Kingdom of God is being initiated with his ministry. This in-breaking needs to be celebrated. He knows that his life will soon end; then
the fasting may begin. His short life may even be considered an extended
Sabbath. People should no more fast during
its duration than they should be silent at a social. In this way the people can recognize his Father’s
mercy like his disciples are doing.
Today the United States remembers the Rev. Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr., with a national holiday.
It may seem pretentious given that he is the only person to be so
celebrated annually besides Jesus on Christmas.
However, the injustice which King fought was outrageous, to say nothing
of the slavery which precipitated it. Taking
time to consider that and to celebrate the victory over bigotry is both fitting
and helpful. We might also contemplate
that more than anyone else, Jesus was King’s inspiration and hope.
