“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
Daily Reflections
Saturday, 8th July 2017.
Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Gen 27: 1-5, 15-29;
Ps 135: 1-6;
Mt 9: 14-17
JESUS, OUR BELOVED BRIDEGROOM
The magnetic compass is a navigational instrument to direct travelers, especially sailors, military, etc. The compass helps the navigator to reach the destination. In a similar way, Jesus, the bridegroom is the compass that leads us to everlasting joy. But this compass leads us through a journey which is both spiritually strengthening and purifying. Jesus himself navigated through the passion, suffering, death and resurrection. So also will our path be. Our lives need to reflect the life of Jesus, the new wine with the new ideas and new conception of truth. The old self with the old principles needs to be replaced with the new self with new principles. Another ‘Jesus’ is what we ought to be.
On the other hand, Liberty is what we are made for. We are made to be free to live life to the fullest and to experience the unfathomable joys and blessings God desires to bestow upon us. Freedom, more than anything else, is an experience of the joy of having the Bridegroom with us. It’s the joy of the wedding feast of the Lord. We were made to celebrate our unity with Him for eternity. Thus the wedding guests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them. However, “The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”
There are times in our lives when “the Bridegroom is taken away.” This can particularly be a time when we experience a sense of the loss of Christ in our lives. This could come as a result of our own sin, but it can also come as a result of us growing closer to Christ. Fasting can help free us from the many sinful attachments we have in life. It has the potential to strengthen our will and purify our desires. Fasting also is a means of deepening our faith and commitment to Him, making us encounter the hiding Bridegroom. Fasting can take on many forms, but, at the heart, it is simply an act of self-denial and self-sacrifice for God. It helps us overcome earthly and fleshly desires so that our spirits can more fully desire Christ.
Reflect, on how deeply you desire Christ in your life. Do you desire to know the Joy of Jesus? Do you desire to closely imitate Him? If you wish to experience the Joy of the bridegroom Jesus, surrender to Him in prayer. Also consider offering acts of fasting and other forms of self-denial, making them small sacrifices for God and you will see the good fruit they produce.
Prayer: Lord, I desire You in my life above all things. Help me to see the things that compete for Your love and to offer sacrifice so that my soul can be purified and live in the freedom You desire for me. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.