Dear James:

This is a disciplinary issue, not a dogmatic one. Jesus was not making a dogmatic statement about fasts. In fact this statement in Mark has nothing to do with fasting regulations. Jesus used the analogy of a wedding feast in which people "feast", not fast, as long as the bridegroom is present (until the party is over). Jesus is referring to himself as the bridegroom and to why his disciples did not fast. He was answering the question of why his disciples did not fast when the disciples of John did fast. Those same disciples did practice fasts after Jesus ascended into heaven and was no longer with them. Like all scripture we cannot pull out one verse out of context to the whole and use it to prove anything.

Here Jesus was merely making an analogy as explanation, nothing more. He was not setting down doctrine, but referring to customs practiced at wedding feasts to make a point.

The Church has been given the authority directly from God to make disciplinary rules as well as to define, protect, and teach dogma and doctrine. We are obligated to obey those disciplinary rules as well as the dogma and doctrine. Since this is a disciplinary rule and not a dogma the Church can change the rule as she wishes.

The rules the Church has promulgated is that a Feast Day of the Church excepts from the abstinence rule. A wedding feast is not a Holy Feast Day on the Church calendar.

Besides, there is no problem attending and participating in a wedding feast on a day of abstinence. Just do not eat meat. You can eat vegetables, cake, candy, and the like all you want. Any vegetarians at the wedding would do the same. It is really not an issue.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary