Marriage, the symbol of the covenant God desires to have with His people.

I just can't help but share this commentary on last weeks Gospel. I got it from the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. We are focusing on two upcoming weddings in our family and I am so excited for these four sons and daughters of the King entering into that covenant relationship God desires to have with His people.  God Bless their dear hearts. :)


In the mass readings last week and the week before, the imagery was royal and filial - Jesus is the newborn king of the Jews who makes us co-heirs of Israel’s promise, beloved children of God. Last week in the Liturgy we went to a Baptism.

This week, we’re at a wedding.

We’re being shown another dimension of our relationship with God. If we’re sons and daughters of God, it’s because we’ve married into the family.


Have you ever wondered why the Bible begins and ends with a wedding - Adam and Eve’s in the garden and the marriage supper of the Lamb (compare Genesis 2:23-24 and Revelation 19:9; 21:9; 22:17)?
Throughout the Bible, marriage is the symbol of the covenant relationship God desires with His chosen people. He is the Groom, humanity His beloved and sought-after bride. We see this reflected beautifully in today’s First Reading.
When Israel breaks the covenant she is compared to an unfaithful spouse (see Jeremiah 2:20-36; 3:1-13). But God promises to take her back, to “espouse” her to Him forever in an everlasting covenant (see Hosea 2:18-22).
That’s why in today’s Gospel, Jesus performs His first public “sign”. Where does he perform it? At a wedding feast.
Jesus is the divine Bridegroom (see John 3:29), calling us to His royal wedding feast (Matthew 22:1-14). By His New Covenant, He will become “one flesh” with all humanity in the Church (see Ephesians 5:21-33). By our Baptism, each of us has been betrothed to Christ as a bride to a Husband (see 2 Corinthians 11:2).
The new wine that Jesus pours out at today’s feast is the gift of the Holy Spirit given to His bride and body, the church. As the  Epistle says. This is the “salvation” announced to the “families of nations” in last week's Psalm.


God Bless you "Dear Hearts",
Debbie