How Every Catholic Mass Is A Wedding Banquet
Jesus 'the Bridegroom' in Scripture, Symbol, and Profound Love
Discounted Valentine’s Day candies, cards, and decorations linger on grocery store shelves today. Does that mean we ought to quit thinking about love, and ‘move on’ to the next topic?
I beg to differ — despite the fact that I never dreamt of my wedding as a little girl. (Actually, I used to tell Mom I’d never get married.) The image of ‘romance’ I saw on movies and in TV commercials was superficial; I wanted none of it. Looking back, I must have interpreted the love of my parents and grandparents as something that came from God, rather than what society’s version of romance provided.
This year’s collision of Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday offered a unique opportunity. I recorded audio reflections on:
How the Judeo-Christian Bible speaks of God’s love for us from its first book to its last
Why Jesus called himself ‘the Bridegroom’
Many symbolic and profound ways that every Catholic Mass is a wedding banquet
I hope my reflections help repair ways that Christianity or Catholicism have been abused as vehicles for anything other than genuine love.
You can listen to the full podcast here:
If you’re not ready to listen for an hour, I recorded a shorter audio retreat version here:
Lent is traditionally viewed as an entrance into a ‘spiritual desert,’ but many of us often feel like we’re wandering a desert in daily life. If you find yourself roaming through a lonely or painful stretch, here’s a thought:
When exiting, entering, or passing by a Catholic Church, one traditionally makes the Sign of the Cross. Why?
Stemming from Jewish history, the tabernacle — meaning ‘tent’ or ‘dwelling place’ — is a precious vessel in every Catholic Church where consecrated Communion Hosts are secured. Like in the Exodus, when God would dwell among his people on their pilgrimage through the desert in the Tent of Meeting, we believe that Christ has pitched a new tent among us.
You are never alone. You are loved beyond any price. He has kept his promise.
“Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:20
A Special Note
When we begin Lent, we often want to have a spiritual focus, but we also want (and need!) entertainment. If you’d like access to an organized catalogue of my appearances on audio retreats and podcasts like the ones included above — as well as many surrounding daily life and pop culture, consider becoming a paid supporter of The Inspired Life. Everything that I produce here is offered freely; paid supporters help make it possible for me to have the time to write and create new offerings like these letters, as well as The Inspired Rosary.
No matter whether you’re able to support The Inspired Life financially or not, I am so glad you are here. Let’s continue to walk together.
Peace be with you.
I’m so glad to have come across your Substack publication and want so badly to listen to your podcasts but I gave up podcasts for Lent! What strange timing! Haha I will have to remember to listen to these on a Sunday if I have the time!