What is your attitude for today? Indifference or eagerness? Today's Gospel passage reminds us that our Christian life has its joys and sorrows. We are never perennially in a sorrowful mood, nor are we perpetually in a joyful mood. As the Book of Ecclesiastes utters aloud "There is a proper season for everything," likewise, there is a rightful attitude on different occasions. Since Christ Jesus entered our human reality, He has brought newness and significance of the storage and taste of wine, a new vigour of spirit into our celebration of life. Togetherness is celebrated best at the dining table. The people and disciples enjoyed and savoured every moment with Jesus at meals. In Him they saw hope. A cheerful hospitality to their kindly renowned visitor is the proper attitude at table.

The attitudes of those who are policing others to adhere to their righteous standards when it comes to fasting and piety can be seen as spiritual harassment. Mourning for repentance is never a prolonged suffering. While we acknowledge suffering is a reality, we imbibe Jesus' way of proceeding in facing suffering. Jesus speaks of the hour. 'My hour has not come'. Perhaps, we too learn to appropriate the needs of the person with the occasion. We cannot pride ourselves in fasting but in the use of resources, we are wasteful.