The Bridegroom and Blessing

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, the 51st anniversary of our marriage, lead us to ponder our great blessing and our desire to share love, hope, and blessing with our family and friends.

Bride Groom and Blessings

The Reading from the Prophet Amos is an editorial supplement to Amos, added to bring the book into harmony with the positive thrust of the prophetic books in general

* [9:11–15] These verses are most likely an editorial supplement to Amos, added to bring the book into harmony with the positive thrust of the prophetic books in general, especially those written after the exile, when the final edition of Amos was probably completed. The editors would have seen the destruction of Samaria in 722/721 B.C. as the fulfillment of Amos’s prophecies, but in this epilogue they express the view that destruction was not the Lord’s final word for Israel. In Acts 15:15–17, James interprets this passage in a messianic sense. The fallen hut of David: the Davidic kingdom, which included what later became the divided Northern and Southern Kingdoms. All nations claimed in my name: lit., “all nations over whom my name has been pronounced.” This idiom denotes ownership.

* [9:14] Rebuild…inhabit…plant…drink: in this era of restoration, the Lord nullifies the curse of 5:11, which uses these same four verbs, and turns it into a blessing for Israel. (Amos, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 85 declares to Judea that God will be active on their behalf.

* [Psalm 85] A national lament reminding God of past favors and forgiveness (Ps 85:2–4) and begging for forgiveness and grace now (Ps 85:5–8). A speaker represents the people who wait humbly with open hearts (Ps 85:9–10): God will be active on their behalf (Ps 85:11–13). The situation suggests the conditions of Judea during the early postexilic period, the fifth century B.C.; the thoughts are similar to those of postexilic prophets (Hg 1:5–11; 2:6–9). (Psalms, PSALM 85 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus addresses the Question About Fasting.

* [9:15] Fasting is a sign of mourning and would be as inappropriate at this time of joy, when Jesus is proclaiming the kingdom, as it would be at a marriage feast. Yet the saying looks forward to the time when Jesus will no longer be with the disciples visibly, the time of Matthew’s church. Then they will fast: see Didache 8:1.

* [9:16–17] Each of these parables speaks of the unsuitability of attempting to combine the old and the new. Jesus’ teaching is not a patching up of Judaism, nor can the gospel be contained within the limits of Mosaic law. (Matthew, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

Cindy Costanzo comments Change happens. A new generation adopts new practices, creates new technology, the old gives away to the new. And yet change is hard, we grieve what has past, we wish the change had not happened, we are slow or may refuse to accept the change.

However, if our joy and belief is in God’s kingdom should we not trust that change can and will bring something good? If we are graced with faith - then by faith alone we should trust that God will reveal to us the value of the change; to recognize the good and an understanding of its value within our lives.

In today’s scripture Jesus also reminds us of joy. How we should celebrate recognizing “Joy for Joy”. Yes, our world can be described as a fallen, sinful world but there is so much to love and embrace about our world so let’s celebrate this grace. Let’s be willing to reshape our attitudes, engage new ideas, welcome the value change brings, and grow in our faith and pass our positive attitudes, and wonderful faith in God to the next generation so joy stays alive. God’s kingdom as Jesus shared with his disciples is alive and will continue to shatter our expectations but only if we open our hearts to the possibilities. (Costanzo, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes “No need to fast in the presence of the Bridegroom,” by Hilary of Poitiers (315-367 AD).

"The Pharisees and John's disciples were fasting, and the apostles were not. But Jesus answered them in a spiritual way and indicated to John's disciples that he was a bridegroom. John taught that all hope in life lay in Christ. While he was still preaching, however, his disciples could not be received by the Lord. Up until the time of John, the law and the prophets prevailed, and unless the law came to an end, none of them would subscribe to faith in the gospel. The fact that he said there was no need for his disciples to fast as long as the bridegroom is with them illustrates the joy of his presence and the sacrament of the holy food, which no one need be without while he is present, that is, bearing Christ in the light of the mind. But once he is gone, Jesus says that they will fast, for all those who do not believe that Christ has risen will not have the food of life. By faith in the resurrection, the sacrament of the heavenly bread is received. Whoever is without Christ will be forsaken, fasting from the food of life." (excerpt from the commentary ON MATTHEW 9.3) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 9:14-17 comments that Jesus’ words remind us that we are not following him on an endlessly painful journey. He is our bridegroom, the fulfillment of all our desires! So we do not lose hope. We trust that his Spirit dwells within us now, and one day we will join him in the glory of heaven.

In this life, we will have troubles, but they cannot compare with the wedding that is to come! While we embrace the sufferings of this life, we keep our hearts fixed on the joy that awaits us: perfect and eternal union with our God in heaven. He wants us to join him in his wedding banquet, a feast that will last for all eternity.

Whether you are feeling God’s closeness, his absence, or a mixture of both today, know that Jesus, your bridegroom, is with you. He will lead you all the way to his heavenly wedding.

“Jesus, I rejoice that you are with me now, as I wait for your return!” (Meditation on Matthew 9:14-17, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Amos has been tough on the Israelites, predicting being overthrown but he ends with a promise of restoration and abundant harvest and a prophecy  that they will plant vineyards and drink wine and have a permanent dwelling not taken away from them. Did Amos actually write it? The same vocabulary and restoration after suffering is frequent in prophetic texts. In the Gospel of Matthew, the Disciples ask about fasting. Jesus reminds them the wedding guests do not fast while the bridegroom is present. Friar Jude addresses “Why fast?” and cites discipline, repairing relationship with God, solidarity with those who need, and fast as the one who has loved us most has loved us to death. At a wedding we have good food and clothes and maybe Mark put the sayings linked to wedding and new clothes here. Perhaps they were not originally here?

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that writing to a friend, the spiritual writer and Catholic priest Henri Nouwen (1932–1996) reflects on how we share our joy of being God’s beloved with others. 

No one is brought to life through curses, gossip, accusations, or blaming. There is so much of that taking place around us all the time. And it calls forth only darkness, destruction, and death. As the “blessed ones,” we can walk through this world and offer blessings. It doesn’t require much effort. It flows naturally from our hearts. When we hear within ourselves the voice calling us by name and blessing us, the darkness no longer distracts us.

You live in New York. I live in Toronto. As you walk down Columbus Avenue and I down Yonge Street, we can have no illusions about the darkness. The loneliness, the homelessness, and the addictedness of people are all too visible. Yet all of these people yearn for a blessing. That blessing can be given only by those who have heard it themselves…. We are chosen and blessed. When we have truly owned this, have said “Yes” to it, then we can face our own and others’ brokenness with open eyes. (Rohr, n.d.)

We are thankful for our blessings and implore the Spirit to be people who share our experience of faith, hope, and love with the community with whom we share our days.

References

Amos, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 4, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/amos/9?11 

Costanzo, C. (2026, July 4). Daily Reflection July 4, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved July 4, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-july-4-2026 

Matthew, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved July 4, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/9?14 

  

Psalms, PSALM 85 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved July 4, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/85?9 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Everyone Is Chosen: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 4, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/everyone-is-chosen-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Day Will Come When They Will Fast. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 4, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Friends of the Bridegroom

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to surrender and celebrate our role as “shoshben”, a trusted friend of the Bridegroom, humbly preparing our environment to welcome Him.

Friends of Bride and Groom

The Reading from the First Letter of John is a Prayer for Sinners.

* [5:13–21] As children of God we have confidence in prayer because of our intimate relationship with him (1 Jn 5:14–15). In love, we pray (1 Jn 5:16–17) for those who are in sin, but not in deadly sin (literally, “sin unto death”), probably referring to apostasy or activities brought on under the antichrist; cf. Mk 3:29; Heb 6:4–6; 10:26–31. Even in the latter case, however, prayer, while not enjoined, is not forbidden. The letter concludes with a summary of the themes of the letter (1 Jn 5:18–20). There is a sharp antithesis between the children of God and those belonging to the world and to the evil one. The Son reveals the God of truth; Christians dwell in the true God, in his Son, and have eternal life. The final verse (1 Jn 5:21) voices a perennial warning about idols, any type of rival to God. (1 John, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 149 invites the people of Israel to celebrate their God in song and festive dance.

* [Psalm 149] A hymn inviting the people of Israel to celebrate their God in song and festive dance (Ps 149:1–3, 5) because God has chosen them and given them victory (Ps 149:4). The exodus and conquest are the defining acts of Israel; the people must be ready to do again those acts in the future at the divine command (Ps 149:6–9).

* [149:3] Make music with tambourine and lyre: the verse recalls the great exodus hymn of Ex 15:20.

* [149:5] On their couches: the people reclined to banquet.

* [149:9] The glory: what brings honor to the people is their readiness to carry out the divine will, here conceived as punishing injustice done by the nations. (Psalms, PSALM 149 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John presents the Final Witness of the Baptist.

* [3:22–26] Jesus’ ministry in Judea is only loosely connected with Jn 2:13–3:21; cf. Jn 1:19–36. Perhaps John the Baptist’s further testimony was transposed here to give meaning to “water” in Jn 3:5. Jesus is depicted as baptizing (Jn 3:22); contrast Jn 4:2.

* [3:23] Aenon near Salim: site uncertain, either in the upper Jordan valley or in Samaria.

* [3:24] A remark probably intended to avoid objections based on a chronology like that of the synoptics (Mt 4:12; Mk 1:14).

* [3:25] A Jew: some think Jesus is meant. Many manuscripts read “Jews.”

* [3:29] The best man: literally, “the friend of the groom,” the shoshben of Jewish tradition, who arranged the wedding. Competition between him and the groom would be unthinkable. (John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Nancy Shirley shares her very real opportunity to put others ahead of herself. She reflects on how Jesus can increase. 

How can my presence here be evidence of that – as I sit with her in the hospital how do I become the hands and feet of Jesus?

Many reading this do that every day as they care for loved ones or in occupations that allow that interaction with others. I have been blessed as a nurse to have a career in serving others. As I age, I realize that these opportunities are not only a blessing for me directly, but the chance to show others Jesus and the wondrous Gift that He is. I remember one of the early songs post-Vatican II – “They will know we are Christians by our Love” – perhaps that is part of the Gift for me this year – decreasing!!! Decreasing ego and self-importance with a focus on the care of others. Sharing the gifts that have been bestowed on me to lessen the burden on others. More of Jesus, less of me.

This Zach Williams song captures this so beautifully, Less like Me (Shirley, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes “Christ is the husband of the church his bride,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.

"This means he alone is the husband of the church (John 3:29), he is the expectation of the nations, and the prophets removed their sandals while offering to him a union of nuptial grace. He is the bridegroom; I am the friend of the bridegroom. I rejoice because he is coming, because I hear the nuptial chant, because now we do not hear the harsh penalties for sinners, the harsh torments of the law, but the forgiveness of offenses, the cry of joy, the sound of cheerfulness, the rejoicing of the nuptial feast." (excerpt from ON THE PATRIARCHS 4.22) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 3:22-30 notes that John compared himself to the Jewish “shoshben”, or the “best man” at a wedding (John 3:29). In ancient Hebrew tradition, the “shoshben” was a trusted friend of the bridegroom who made most of the arrangements for the wedding celebration. And when Jesus finally did arrive, he happily “decreased” in humility and let Jesus become the rightful center of Israel’s attention (John 3:30).

You, too, are part of the bride of Christ. So let John, the best man, help you welcome Jesus as well. Accept his call to repentance. Keep your eyes open for Jesus’ coming to you. And pray that you will know the joy that filled John’s heart—the joy of hearing the voice of the bridegroom every day.

“Jesus, help me to welcome you today.” (Meditation on John 3:22-30, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the last chapter 1 John concludes whatever we ask with confidence we will receive. This is not transactional but relational as a brother giving what we truly need not necessarily what we want. The author of 1 John presents an ambiguous message on sin and sinners. In theory we won’t sin, but we will sin and we need to pick up and go to Christ. The mortal sin that indicates denial of Jesus and God is offered as we belong to the evil one in a very dualistic light or dark, goodness or sin description Jesus. The Gospel of John presents Jesus baptizing on the other side of the Jordan in remission of sin and anointing with the Gift of the Spirit. The Baptist self describes as the bridegroom in an allusion to Jeremiah about the voice of the bride or bridegroom. Jeremiah points to a New Covenant. Jesus is the Bridegroom who is to marry Israel. The “next of kin” who is marrying the Church. “He must increase and I must decrease” as Jesus would bear the children of the Church with His name Christian.

Father Richard Rohr introduces CAC staff member Drew Jackson offers this commentary from the “back pew”.

“Their good news ain’t never been heard like that around here. What’s good for them sounds like hell in my ear. You hear them cheerin? Four more years of their man. You know what that means for us? Nothin changin. Same ol same ol. Domination. Brutality. Low salary. We know what they mean when they say law and order. I heard that man Tutu said that good news to a hungry person is bread. What about if I’m just straight broke? I need that bread. And then preacher man gonna stand up here and tell us to wait until the sweet by and by. That’s what he says all the time. I’m tired of this. We need something different. But different ain’t never gonna come as long as we live under them. With their foot on our necks. I don’t even know why I keep coming. I mean, I guess it’s good to show face in this small town, but I’m not buyin what they’re sellin. If I’m honest, though, I think I’m still hoping to snatch some kind of good news up in this place. That’s why I sit here in the back. Only news they’ve got for me out there is some garbage about some bootstraps. Truth is, if it ain’t good for us, it ain’t good for no one. I need to hear some news that’s good from the bottom up.” (Rohr, n.d.)

We contemplate the occasions on our journey when the “shoshben” in our life made things better and petition the Spirit to guide our actions to respond to the needs of others.

References

John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 10, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/3?22 

Meditation on John 3:22-30. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved January 10, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/01/10/1477452/ 

1 John, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 10, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/5?14 

Psalms, PSALM 149 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 10, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/149?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Good News for a Fractured World. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 10, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/good-news-for-a-fractured-world-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). This Joy of Mine Is Now Full. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 10, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Shirley, N. (2026, January 10). Daily Reflection January 10, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved January 10, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-january-10-2026