Catholic Bible Study – Lectio Mark: Feasting and Fasting

Host: Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology
Date: January 2, 2026

Overview of the Episode

In this episode titled "Feasting and Fasting," the Augustine Institute team leads an in-depth study into Mark’s Gospel (Mark 2), focusing on Jesus’ authority, the call of Levi (Matthew), profound lessons from Caravaggio's artwork, and Jesus’ encounters about feasting, fasting, and Sabbath controversies. The discussion weaves together Scriptural exegesis, art interpretation, historical context, and theological insight, revealing how Jesus inaugurates a new Exodus and the radical inclusivity and depth of his call.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Jesus as the New Moses and the New Exodus

• Connecting Jesus to Moses and Pharaoh:
  • Jesus’ healing of the paralytic is portrayed as an enactment of a new Exodus (00:02).
  • The Pharisees and scribes, through their opposition, are likened to a “new Pharaoh” (00:08).
  • Quote:
    • "Jesus is the new Moses, and he's confronting a surprisingly new Pharaoh. The Pharisees and the scribes, by their doubting and opposing Jesus, they've put themselves in the place of none other than Pharaoh himself." – Host (00:12)
• Forgiveness as Deeper Deliverance:
  • The liberation in this Exodus is not just physical but, more profoundly, from sin (00:32).

2. Son of Man and Daniel 7 Authority

• Jesus identifies himself as the “Son of Man” from Daniel 7, who “has authority on earth” (00:39).
• Heavenly Authority Now on Earth:
  • In Daniel, the Son of Man receives authority in heaven, but Jesus now brings that authority to earth (01:08).
  • Quote:
    • "The power of heaven is being unleashed in the midst of the earth. That's the point." – Host (01:14)

3. The Call of Levi (Matthew) and Resurrection Motif

• Parallel to Other Callings:
  • Jesus "passes by" Levi just as he did Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John (01:29).
  • Levi, a notorious sinner as a tax collector, rises to follow Jesus—spiritually likened to resurrection (01:39).
  • Quote:
    • "Every conversion is like a resurrection from the dead. And so that word for rise is a favorite word of the early Christians." – Host (01:51)

4. Caravaggio’s "The Calling of Saint Matthew"

• Art as Meditative Tool:
  • Caravaggio’s painting is an exemplar for entering biblical scenes, set in the context of the Counter Reformation and reconciliation (02:15).
  • Drama is heightened through use of light and shadow, mirroring Mark's narrative style (02:37).
• Symbolism and Theological Depth:
  • Peter, representing the Church, points to Matthew as Jesus does—highlighting the Church’s mediating, imitating role (03:00).
  • The journey to Jesus is shown as going “through Peter”—an allusion to ecclesial mediation (03:13).
  • Matthew’s incredulous self-pointing: “Me? You got the wrong guy,” encapsulates the mercy of Jesus’ call (03:21).
    • Quote:
      • "Jesus doesn't call the perfect and the holy. Jesus equips those whom he has called." – Host (03:32)
  • Artistic nods:
    • Divine origin of light
    • Jesus’ limp hand modeled on Michelangelo’s Adam—suggesting Jesus as new Adam (04:13)
    • Progression in art: Matthew clothed in black at his call, then in fiery orange/red when writing the Gospel—hearts set ablaze
  • Art’s Role:
    • Art serves prayer and meditation, per the Council of Trent (04:40).

5. Jesus Eats with Sinners – Table Fellowship

• Jesus’ willingness to dine with tax collectors and sinners scandalizes the scribes and Pharisees (05:10).
• Jesus’ reply:
  • “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (05:16)
  • Quote:
    • "Jesus doesn't call those who are equipped. He equips those whom he has called." – Host (05:32)

6. The Debate over Fasting

• Pharisees and Fasting:
  • They attempt to pit Jesus against his disciples and other groups (John’s disciples, Pharisees) through fasting practices (05:40).
• Strategy of Division:
  • The devil's tactic: always to divide Jesus from the disciples or Church (05:52).
• Jesus’ Bridegroom Response:
  • Jesus uses the wedding feast analogy to explain why his disciples do not fast (06:11).
    • Quote:
      • “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.” (06:18)
  • The presence of the bridegroom (Jesus) suspends ritual fasting, reflecting an Old Testament practice (06:28).
  • Deeper Implication:
    • By identifying himself as the bridegroom, Jesus alludes to God’s eschatological role as Israel’s bridegroom in Isaiah 54 (06:42).
    • Quote:
      • "He is saying for those who have ears to hear and know the prophecies of Isaiah, he's saying he is Yahweh." – Host (07:14)
• Fasting Returns:
  • Fasting will resume when “the bridegroom is taken away”—pointing toward Good Friday and Christian fasting traditions (07:30).

7. New Wine and Old Wineskins

• The metaphor signals a new, vibrant teaching and order that cannot fit the old paradigms (07:39).

8. Sabbath Controversies – Plucking Grain

• Another Pharisaic Accusation:
  • Pharisees accuse disciples of violating Sabbath law by plucking grain (08:03).
  • Pharisees are portrayed as “spying” on Jesus—echoes of persecution (08:22).
  • Quote:
    • "The word satan is the Hebrew word for accuser. And so it is the work of the devil to accuse, to accuse, to accuse. And Jesus defends." – Host (08:38)
• Jesus’ Defense – Allusion to David:
  • Jesus cites 1 Samuel 21 where David, the Lord’s anointed, receives priestly bread while being persecuted (08:50).
  • Draws a parallel between David’s followers and his own disciples, who are similarly marginalized and privileged (09:31).
  • The priests’ ability to work on the Sabbath due to their liturgical role prefigures Jesus’ authority and his disciples’ exemption (09:45).

9. Jesus: Lord of the Sabbath

• Final Pronouncement:
  • “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” (10:09)
  • Jesus as the new David and the one with authority to redefine Sabbath observance.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Jesus is the new Moses, and he's confronting a surprisingly new Pharaoh... they've put themselves in the place of none other than Pharaoh himself.” – Host (00:12)
• "The power of heaven is being unleashed in the midst of the earth. That's the point." – Host (01:14)
• “Every conversion is like a resurrection from the dead.” – Host (01:51)
• “Jesus doesn't call the perfect and the holy. Jesus equips those whom he has called.” – Host (03:32)
• “Art has to serve prayer and meditation. So religious art is to help you enter into the scene and to meditate on it.” – Host (04:40)
• “He equips those whom he has called.” – Host (05:32)
• “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?...” – Jesus via Host (06:18)
• "He is saying... he is Yahweh. He's the divine bridegroom." – Host (07:14)
• “The word satan is the Hebrew word for accuser. And so it is the work of the devil to accuse... and Jesus defends.” – Host (08:38)

Key Timestamps

• 00:02–01:14: Jesus as New Moses, Daniel 7 & Authority
• 01:29–03:32: Call of Levi, Resurrection Theme, Caravaggio’s "The Calling of Saint Matthew"
• 03:32–05:10: Church Mediation – Peter and the Role of the Church in Conversion
• 05:10–07:30: Eating with Sinners, Response to Fasting, Jesus the Bridegroom
• 07:30–08:03: New Wine, New Wineskins, Transition to Sabbath
• 08:03–10:09: Sabbath Grain Plucking, Defense via David, Jesus as Lord of the Sabbath

Conclusion

This episode presents Mark’s Gospel as a drama of new beginnings: Jesus as the new Moses, the new David, the Bridegroom, and Lord of the Sabbath. Through rich scriptural analysis and artistic meditation, listeners are invited to see in Christ an unprecedented authority and love—a call to rise and follow, just as Levi did. The closing challenge is not simply to admire this drama, but to participate: to recognize Christ’s summons in our own lives and respond in faith, letting the “divine light” call us home.