Becoming a Beautiful Bride - reflex on Matt 9:14-15
BECOMING A BEAUTIFUL BRIDE
Today’s short Gospel is a quick Q & A between thedisciples of John and Jesus – one question, with a two-sentence answer. Andyet, the answer gives us much to ponder.
The disciples of John want to know why Jesus’ followers donot follow the typical Jewish cycle of fasting. Jesus gives a somewhat crypticanswer: “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then theywill fast.”
The questioners must have been wondering what this meant.
First, by the “bridegroom,” Jesus is clearly referring tohimself. For the listeners, this would have brought to mind the prophetic wordsof the Old Testament, in which the relationship between the Chosen People andGod is often referred to as a betrothal. It is a way of revealing the kind oflove that God has for His people: personal, passionate, faithful, and fruitfullove, like a young fiancé for his beautiful bride. God’s love for us is deepand intense and steadfast!
But a “bridegroom” is a step beyond a “betrothed.” Jesus isexpressing that the betrothal is ending and that – in him - the marriage is nowimminent! God has come in Christ, and Jesus IS the bridegroom, come to wed hisspouse, the Chosen People, the Church, by saving her from sin. This is why werefer to the Church as the “Bride of Christ.”
In ancient Israel, the guests – family and friends - spentthe week long wedding celebration sharing the joy of the new couple. Here we see Jesus declare himself thebridegroom, and his disciples are the “wedding guests,” invited to share hisjoy as he takes the Church as his bride. He wants all of his disciplesthroughout time (even you and me) to do the same! He longs for each of us toremain near him so that the overflowing joy of his Heart can flow into ourlives as well, until we are fully one with him in the Heavenly Kingdom.
One more thing: Notice Jesus does not say that thebridegroom will leave; he says that the bridegroom will be taken away. He isforcibly and violently removed, but he does not want to leave us alone! Before “thebridegroom is taken away,” he reveals a way he can remain with us always: atthe Last Supper, he institutes the Eucharist.
Until the total fulfillment of the Kingdom is revealed, whilewe “wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior,” we fast and pray andgrow in love in order to be more fully conformed to his image, just as hisdisciples did.
This Lent, let’s open ourselves fully to all that the Churchsuggests – praying, fasting, giving – so that we are of one heart and mind aswe focus our attention on all that Christ, the Bridegroom, has given for us,his Bride.