Chapter 13 - Thy Maker Is Thy Spouse
But there is another victory of faith, that both women AND men are called to embrace. And that is … our spousal relationship to Jesus. Huh ? Yes, men of God. The Lord is asking you to understand and begin practicing, what it means to be the Lord's spouse. You will be His Spouse in Heaven, wed to Him at the great marriage supper of the Lamb that we are all looking forward to.
"Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh ; yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away ; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5 : 16-17
"for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." 2 Corinthians 11 : 2
We are all asked to be very diligent in that hope, reminded to keep our lamps trimmed like one of those five faithful bridesmaids. And men AND women will do that, equally well, in the vocation of the Eucharistic Adorer. I am talking about the son and daughter of God who truly believes that Jesus is present in the Eucharist. Does Jesus Himself not say to us,
"And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready, come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: and the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them." Matthew 22 : 1-6
And at that wedding, who is the Groom ? Jesus. And who is the Bride ? You. Women and men, are His Bride.
"Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven." Matthew 22 : 29-30
Heaven excludes human marriage, so that in Paradise Jesus can become our Groom.
"For thy Maker is thine husband. The Lord of hosts is his name, and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel. The God of the whole earth shall he be called. For the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee." Isaiah 54 : 5-7
And this is a great mystery which the Holy Spirit solved for me which I am so eager to share with you. Paul exhorts all women to be silent in the church, and prevents them from having any authority above than of the men. I had a great epiphany that simultaneously exalted women, refuted the priesthood, and elevated the Eucharist ....
Paul might be exhorting the female gender to be quiet in assemblies, but more importantly, he's instructing the Bride of Christ how to behave in the Eucharist Presence of our Lord.
I know what many readers or listeners will say. "I'm bending the obvious truth, Paul was not being metaphorical, it's black and white." Tell that to Jesus. Here's what Jesus says about His Bride : "Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house" Psalm 128 : 3
And here's what Jesus says about Himself :
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away ; and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit, for without me ye can do nothing. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit ; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love." John 15 : 1-9
Eucharistic adoration is a divine method for any believer on earth to bear fruit. Yes, just sitting silently in the presence of the Eucharist is more than enough. Ask Jesus !
"Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things ; but one thing is needful, and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Luke 10 : 38-42
Eucharist adoration cultivates a respectful attitude, a silent moment of worship, as we sit at the Lord's feet always ready to hear from Him, letting Him take the lead. At times it can be done to rocking worship music, but often, it slips into silence.
I call to the stand as a witness, Joseph, the father of Jesus. He was the man of the house, and there is precisely no word recorded of Joseph. We only know he fiercely protected his child as his own. He let his wife and child do the talking. What is God saying to us then ?
