Thursday, September 18 : Saint Anthony of Padua

There are three kinds of marriage: the one that concerns union, the one that is about justification, and the one that is about glorification. The first kind were celebrated within the temple of the Virgin Mary; the second kind are celebrated daily within the temple of faithful souls; and the third will be celebrated in the temple of heavenly glory. The purpose of a wedding is to unite two people: the bridegroom and the bride. If two families are against each other, marriage usually unites them when a man from one side marries a woman from the other. Between ourselves and God there used to be a great division; to wipe it out and establish peace the Son of God had to take his bride from someone of our lineage. To realize this marriage numerous intermediaries and peacemakers intervened who, through their insistent prayers, were able to win it at great cost. Finally, the Father himself gave his consent and sent his Son, who joined himself to our nature in the marriage chamber of the Virgin Mary’s womb. Thus the Father “gave a marriage feast for his Son”. In the same way, the second kind of marriage is celebrated when the grace of the Holy Spirit intervenes and the soul is converted (…) The grace of the Holy Spirit is the bridegroom of the soul. When he calls it to repentance with his interior inspiration, all appeal from the vices is without effect. Finally, the third kind of marriage will be celebrated at the coming of the bridegroom, Jesus Christ, on the Day of Judgment. Of him it is written: “Behold, the bridegroom is coming! Go out to meet him” (Mt 25:6). He will take the Church itself as bride, as John says in the Book of Revelation: “Come here. I will show you the Bride, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, gleaming with the splendor of God” (cf. Rv 21:9-11). The Church of the Faithful comes down from heaven, from beside God, for it has obtained from God that its dwelling should be in the heavens. And so, at present it lives by faith and hope but very soon it will celebrate its espousals with its bridegroom: “Blessed,” says the Book of Revelation, are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb!” (Rv 19:9)

Roman Extraordinary (Tridentine) Daily Readings – rosary,team