“The espousals between Joseph and Mary are an episode of great importance. Joseph was of the royal line of David and, in virtue of his marriage to Mary, would confer on the Son of the Virgin — on God’s Son — the legal title of “Son of David,” thus fulfilling the prophecies.” — Pope Benedict XVI
Good morning Lord.
I woke up very early this morning, and I came outside so I would not wake up Mary. This is the first day that I wake up in our home. We came home very late last night, or very early this morning since it was already past midnight. I should be sleeping but I have so much joy that I cannot contain it within me.
Yesterday was the best day of my life, the day that I married my beloved. Once again, I woke up in the early morning hours. My sister Salome and Mary, the wife of Clopas, left while I was having breakfast. They were going to Mary’s house to help her get ready.
It took me no time to be ready. I put on a brand new white tunic, and a red robe over it. All my friends began to arrive at my house around noon. We had a pre-wedding celebration of our own. My brothers placed a crown of flowers on my head. Everyone was in a jolly mood. I could have headed to Mary’s house to collect her at any time during the day. Our tradition holds that the bride has to be ready with her lamp filled with oil. Her bridesmaids also had to have oil ready for their lamps. If they were not ready when the groom came, they would miss the banquet.
As the first stars were making their appearance in the sky, I headed towards Mary’s house with my friends and brothers. I could hear the screams in the distance: “The groom is coming, the groom is coming.” I was nervous and excited at the same time.
When we got close to Mary’s house, we gave a shout and blew a shofar to let her know to be ready. Her bridesmaids all rushed outside just as we started walking up the hill. The lights from the lamps being carried by my groomsmen were united to the lights that the bridesmaids were carrying, and soon, it looked like a river of light was marking the path for me to walk towards her house. Mary waited for me inside the house, probably looking through the window at the spectacle outside. The crowd was screaming with excitement. I had never seen anything like it.
I brought with me the little donkey that accompanied Mary on her journey to Ein Kerem. He was all dressed up for the occasion with feathers and jewels covering his head, and a silk embroidered blanket over his body. As we reached Mary’s house, he looked at me with his gentle eyes. It was as if he recognized the house, and he knew we were coming to pick up Mary.
All of a sudden, the door opened, and Mary walked outside. She was a sight to behold. I had never seen a more beautiful girl. Her blue tunic, tied with the nuptial belt, and the translucent veil covering her face, seemed to be dancing with the wind. My friends helped her to climb on top of the donkey. She was wearing bracelets and anklets that had probably belonged to her mother, and others that she probably borrowed from her aunt and her friends. Her head was filled with daisies, as if they had been knitted amongst her hair.
Mary looked like a heavenly queen. And that is what she was to me. She was my queen. I smiled at her, grabbed the bridle of the donkey, and began to walk down the hill while all the children threw flowers at us. As we walked towards my house, where the wedding celebrations would take place, it seemed as if all the inhabitants from Nazareth were outside cheering us, and praying to Yahweh to bless our marriage. “May the Lord bless you.” “May you meet lots of children, and the children of your children.” “May Yahweh fill with prosperity Joseph’s chests, and with happiness Mary’s soul.” Mary’s bridesmaids walked ahead of us with their oil lamps lit. Our family, friends, and groomsmen trailed behind, like a fine parade.
We brought to our espousal two hearts filled with great torrents of love. We had a deep and pure love for one another. Ours was a divine romance. And I must confess, that even though I was present at the celebration of our wedding, I remember the details as if I had been watching from a cloud, because that is how I felt, as if I was floating on a cloud. I recall that there were white blankets covering the floor of my humble house. In the middle of the room, there was a white canopy that had been prepared for us. The procession led us there, and while they sang, we held hands. I placed a crown made of mirth on Mary’s head, and the rabbi gave us wine to taste. After we tasted the wine, the glass was thrown on the floor, as it was our custom, so no other lip could touch the glass that the couple had drank from. Then, the rabbi placed our right hands together, and he pronounced these words: “May the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob be with you. May He unite you and complete in you His blessing.”
Mary and I looked at each other, and we realized that our marriage was not like that of others. We had both made a vow to God to remain virgin, therefore the right to each others’ bodies had been surrendered. But there was no need to unite the flesh when we had already attained the divine unity. The consummation of our love was in Jesus. The Light of the World was our love. Jesus, our Child, made us one. No deeper love ever beat in this world since the beginning, nor will it ever beat, even unto the end. It takes not two to love, but three. We had the love of God with us.
Reflection:
Joseph and Mary had a pure love for one another that was made even stronger through Jesus. Is there room for Jesus in my life? Do I allow Him to be part of my relationships with others?
Copyright © 2024 Christy Romero. All rights reserved.
Resources from the following books are being used on this journey:
- The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Live of the Virgin Mother of God by Venerable Mary of Agreda
- Consecration to St. Joseph by Fr. Donald H. Calloway
- Las Palabras Calladas: Diario de Maria de Nazaret by Pedro Miguel Lamet
All Bible references are from the New American Revised Edition Bible (NAREB) unless otherwise specified.
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