Matthew 9:14-15

for today's reading (http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021216.cfm)

Today Jesus is asked why he and his disciples do not fast.  He answers, "Can the wedding guests mourn when the bridegroom is with them?" 

The contrast is striking: Mourning and joyful.  He reminds us that he is the groom.  We are his love.  How can we be sad?  This Lent are we mindful of his immense love?  What sacrifice can we give him that will bring us closer to him?  Is it a sacrifice of prayer?  A few brief moments before the tabernacles between work and lunch?  How do we make him our first priority?  The answer is different for everyone.  Let the Spirit lead you. 

John 3:22-30 The Bridegroom

John the Baptist gives the description of Jesus as the Bridegroom in today's Gospel.  John said, "No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven.  You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ, but that I was sent before him.  The one that has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice.  So this joy of mine has been made complete.  He must increase; I must decrease."  John knew that Jesus was the anointed Christ.  It was merely his job as prophet to prepare the way.  He is witness to God made manifest. 

The Bridegroom has deep meaning in Jewish culture.  Marriage, as indicated by the Song of Solomon, shows the deep yearning and union of the bride and bridegroom.  It is also a sign of God's love to his people.  Christ Jesus is the Bridegroom.  Who is the bride?  Who did Christ come to save?  The people, we, are the bride.  As one people of faith, we are the Church, and so the Church is also the Bride.  May we keep ourselves ever present to our Bridegroom and the Kingdom of God which is at hand.