No Time to Mourn

‘Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of mourning as long as the bridegroom is still with them?'
Mt.9:15

Jesus explicitly refers to himself as the bridegroom, one whose presence brings great joy. If he is the bridegroom then who am I?  The bride.

Jesus the groom. Me the bride. This is a powerful metaphor. The relationship between groom and bride is readily recognised as one of deep intimacy, love and joy. 

Is the bridegroom still with me? Yes. So this is not a time for mourning. May that time never come! 

My fasting is to be of the type described in today's first reading. Free the oppressed. Break the yoke. Feed the hungry. Attend the poor. Clothe the naked. This is a joy-filled fasting directed to others.

Today I seek the face of the one whom my soul loves in those who my "fasting" touches.