The Bridegroom Is Here
January 20, 2025 - Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Mark 2:18-22
The Bible begins and ends with marriage. In Genesis, the first marriage unites Adam (humanity) and Eve (life) (Gen. 2:23-25). In Revelation, the final marriage celebrates the Lamb of God and His Bride, the Church, redeemed by His sacrifice (Rev. 21:9-11). Throughout Scripture, marriage serves as a powerful image of God’s covenant with His people. In Isaiah, God speaks tenderly to Israel: “For your Maker is your husband” (Isaiah 54:5). In the New Testament, this bond deepens, pointing to Christ’s love for His Church (Eph. 5:31-32).
The Feast of the Bridegroom
In the Gospel, Jesus responds to questions about fasting with the image of a wedding celebration. John the Baptist fasts because he is the friend of the Bridegroom, preparing the way (John 3:29). But Jesus feasts because He is the Bridegroom, here to reclaim His bride. The wedding guests cannot fast while the Bridegroom is present (Mark 2:19).
Jesus’ ministry shows this joyful union. He eats with tax collectors and sinners, drawing them back into God’s embrace (Mark 2:14-15; Luke 19:5-6). Like a bridegroom courting his bride, He speaks tenderly to humanity, offering forgiveness, compassion, and a new beginning (Hosea 2:16-17). Through His passion, death, and resurrection, He betroths all of us—sinful yet beloved—in a new covenant of righteousness, love, and faithfulness (Hosea 2:21-22).
A New Covenant, A New Life
Jesus’ words about new cloth and new wine highlight the transformative power of the Gospel. The old ways—represented by the rigid structures of the law—cannot contain the new life Christ offers. Through the sacrament of baptism, the Bridegroom welcomes us into His covenant, washing away sin and clothing us in His grace. As water is turned into wine at Cana, baptism leads to the Eucharist, where we receive the very life of Christ. In these sacraments, we are united to Him, becoming part of His Bride, the Church.
This new life is not static; it grows and flourishes as we walk with Christ. The Spirit works within us, healing our wounds, renewing our hearts, and empowering us to share in the joy of the Gospel.
The Meaning of Fasting
Why, then, do Christians fast? Jesus tells us, “The days will come when the Bridegroom is taken away, and then they will fast” (Mark 2:20). Our fasting is a sign of longing for the fullness of His presence. It is a way of remembering the cost of our salvation—the passion and sacrifice of the Bridegroom who gave His life for us.
Fasting is not just about giving something up; it is about making space for Christ in our lives. Like a bride preparing for her wedding, we fast to purify our hearts and grow closer to the One who loves us beyond measure. This journey of fasting, especially during Lent, leads us to the joy of Easter, where we celebrate the victory of the Bridegroom and the renewal of all creation.
A Call to Rejoice
The Bridegroom is here, and He invites us to the feast. Let us embrace the joy of His presence, live the new life He offers, and prepare our hearts to meet Him fully. In fasting and feasting, in sorrow and joy, may we always remain united to Christ, our Bridegroom, who has loved us with an everlasting love.