Wisdom 2:6 contains the statement “Let’s enjoy the good things in life.” In its context it describes the attitude that those who do not worship God have, but Ecclesiastes in the Hebrew Bible states several times that those who believe in God should enjoy eating, drinking, and working – the simple pleasures of life. In the New Testament Jesus was criticized because his disciples did not fast like the disciples of John the Baptist. His first miracle or sign in the Gospel of John was changing water into wine. Jesus seemed to enjoy eating, drinking, and being with people. What do you think are the simple pleasures of life that are meant to be enjoyed and why? Do you think religious people are often too austere and don’t seem to have fun? Why or why not?
