MONTHLY DEVOTIONAL FOR 19 JANUARY
January 19, 2026
FEAST OF SAINTS FABIAN AND SEBASTIAN, MARTYRS – 20th JANUARY
January 20, 2026
TODAY’S GOSPEL READING
19 JANUARY, 2026
Mark 2:18-22
The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast.
People came to Jesus and objected,
“Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast,
but your disciples do not fast?”
Jesus answered them,
“Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?
As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast.
But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them,
and then they will fast on that day.
No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak.
If he does, its fullness pulls away,
the new from the old, and the tear gets worse.
Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins.
Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins,
and both the wine and the skins are ruined.
Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins.”
THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD!
REFLECTION
In this passage, Jesus is questioned about why His disciples do not fast like the disciples of John or the Pharisees. Jesus responds with the striking image of a wedding feast. As long as the bridegroom is present, fasting is out of place. With this image, Jesus reveals that His presence among the people is a time of joy, celebration, and new life. God is no longer distant; He is walking with His people, inviting them into a living relationship rather than a mere observance of rituals.
Jesus then deepens His teaching with two powerful metaphors: new cloth on an old garment and new wine in old wineskins. Both images point to the same truth. The new life that Jesus brings cannot simply be fitted into old patterns of thinking, rigid traditions, or legalistic practices. Trying to force the Gospel into old frameworks will only lead to loss and damage, just as the cloth will tear and the wineskins will burst.
This reflection challenges us to examine our own openness to renewal. Faith is not meant to be static or confined to habit alone. Jesus invites us to become “new wineskins,” flexible hearts ready to receive His transforming grace. When we allow Christ to renew our minds and hearts, our religious practices become expressions of love and joy, not burdens. True discipleship means embracing the newness of life that Jesus offers and allowing it to reshape the way we live, pray, and love each day.
PRAYER
My Lord and my God, you gave up your life for us that we may live. Please cast away the doubt in my heart, and as I learn from the true teachings of your church, may I too become a vessel of truth. Indeed the false doctrines of the false prophets will lead us your people to perdition, so please help me not to listen to what the devil is speaking through his false prophets rather, empower me with your Holy spirit that I may embrace your teachings and choose your will. Amen
