People were wondering why Jesus and His disciples did not fast the way 'holy' people in their society did. Jesus gives two answers. When the Bridegroom is around, it is not the time for penance - Jesus clearly is talking about Himself. But the second answer goes deeper. The ways of Jesus cannot be understood by those who are still thinking along old lines. Like a new patch on old cloth or new wine in an old wineskin. There are still some of us (and they are not all old!) who interpret the life of the Church like the Pharisees of old and find it difficult to adjust. Jesus is clearly saying that His whole vision of how to serve God is new and it can only be accepted and adopted by people who are prepared to see things in a new way. His teaching, His vision cannot be grafted on to the old ways of thinking and doing. The 'old' religion emphasised rules and rituals and external observances but Jesus emphasises the inner spirit which is the real measure of our closeness to God.