Hilary of Poitiers, on Matt 9:14

“Then came to him the disciples of John, saying: Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but thy disciples do not fast?”

“Figuratively; This His answer, that while the Bridegroom was present with them, His disciples needed not to fast, teaches us the joy of His presence, and the sacrament of the holy food, which none shall lack, while He is present, that is, while one keeps Christ in the eye of the mind. He says, they shall fast when He is taken away from them, because all who do not believe that Christ is risen, shall not have the food of life. For in the faith of the resurrection the sacrament of the heavenly bread is received.”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.