Today is Day 7 of our reflections on the gospel of John.  Thank you for joining us!  

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A Reflection on John 3:22-36

“He who has the bride is the bridegroom…” (v 29a)

Jesus is the bridegroom.  The Lamb of God who comes to take away the sin of the worlds is also the bridegroom who has left His Father to cleave Himself to His bride.  But who is the bride?  Who is the one who will receive the love of Him who is Love?  It is me, us, the whole Church.  Maybe that is strange to think about.  Yet how else could He satisfy our hearts?  We are yearning to see God because we are yearning to be loved, and to love in return.  We desire to be chosen, holy and beloved (Col 3:12).  And the Word made Flesh chooses us.  He makes us holy, setting us aside for Himself, and He calls us His Beloved.

Yes, the bridegroom has come.  The one whom our souls love has come into the world to unite us with Himself.  It is not enough just to be our rescuer.  He wants to be one with us, giving us a share in his divine heritage, that we may become “partakers of the divine nature.”  (2 Peter 1:4)

John the Baptist recognizes this, and “rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice.” (v 29b) His mission is complete.   His joy is full.

Jesus comes to me now, desiring to bring all that the Father has given Him. Will I let Him take His place on the throne of my soul?

My Jesus, my bridegroom, come into my heart and remain there with me. Help me to be more like John.  Increase your presence in my soul, and decrease all that is contrary to you.

Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved worldwide.