Communion and Fasting

In the novus ordo lectionary today the Gospel speaks of a time to fast, and a time not to fast. The principle is simple: when the Bridegroom is with us we do not fast; when he is taken away, we do. This has an obvious application: in that the Lord has been taken up to heaven, and in that sense is not with us, there is a place for fasting in our lives. But because in another sense the Lord is with us, in the various modes of his presence, our fasting need not be uninterrupted. There are times of fasting in the Church's calendar, and times of not fasting. There is Lent, and there is Easter. But in addition to this obvious sense, I should like to point out a less obvious road of interpretation, regarding Holy Communion. This Gospel could provide the occasion to preach on two important points. Firstly, the need to fast before receiving the Body of the Lord. Before we receive, the Lord is not with us - and so we should fast! But if we are worthy to receive him, then both our breaking of our fast, and our union with the Bridegroom take place in the same instant. That brings us along to the second point: whether we may receive or not. Mortal sin results in the loss of grace, and the loss of the Lord's presence in our souls. Thus, those who are in mortal sin must fast from the food of life. When we confess our sins, grace re-enters our souls, and the Lord is with us once more. We need fast no longer from the Bread of Life.