Extraordinary and novel marriage proposals have been around for years. But with the onset of social media such as YouTube and Facebook, and their inevitable and ubiquitous presence in today's popularity-crazed society, it has meant that the most sophisticated attempts can be shared around the world, with some videos earning up to 30 million views. I've always been wonderstruck at how men (and even some women) comeup with the edgiest and most creative ideas to propose to their significant others that impress their better half, friends, family, and people around the world. Bungee jumping, plane flying, fake deaths, flash mobs, scavenger hunts, and a multitude of other ways have been employed by these love-struck folks, thereby raising the bar on “popping the question".
We, being earthly creatures are so busy focusing on these earthly unions and marriages, when there’s already an astounding, life-changing marriage proposal that has been performed. An ancient, 2000 year old marriage proposal. And, we as Catholics happen to be extremely fortunate to be recipients of this love every day. Jesus Christ has made the ultimate proposal that no man can ever transcend. He is the selfless bridegroom, the perfect lover that has managed to conquer our hearts. We are Christ’s bride, the Church, made up of imperfect men and women (Romans 3:23 “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”). If the Church represents Jesus’ bride as a whole, that makes each one of us His brides in our own way, yes, this includes the men as well. “Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem, your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you” (Is 60:1). This is the foretelling of the coming of the Bridegroom to the Bride, the coming of Christ to the Church. St. Paul says, “Christ loved the church” (Eph. 5:25). And His love is limitless.
“Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them unto the end” (John 13:1). We, in turn are also intrinsically filled with a passion to experience our Lord. Jesus said, “Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness shall be filled” (Mathew 5:6). How is our hunger filled?
Well, Jesus is a lover in hot pursuit of his flawed bride, waiting to satisfy Her (us, the Church)
with His sacrificial body, and outpouring of blood that we partake through the Eucharist. I am
constantly reminded of the traditional Catholic hymn - "You satisfy the hungry heart, with
gifts of finest wheat. Come give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat." According to
Colossians 2:9, the fullness of the deity dwells in Jesus Christ bodily. Blessed Pope John Paul
II calls Jesus Christ the human face of God and the divine face of man. “This bread is my flesh,
which I will give for the life of the world” (John 6:51). He chose to give us every last drop of
blood and water, He desired to empty Himself for us so that we may have life everlasting. This is
the supreme manifestation of Agape which is God’s ultimate, outpouring of love. He says, “I’m
with you even until the end of time” (Mathew 28:20).
At every Mass, we don’t have to go very far to be a part of this sacred union. God has already prepared a rich, sumptuous banquet for us: “then people will come from East and West, from North and South, and will eat in the Kingdom of God” (Luke 13:29). And he beckons to us
saying, “this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me" (Luke 22:19). Under the appearance of the host, He’s giving us His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Every time we say “Amen” and hold out our palms to receive Jesus, He is intermingling in us . We are encountering the Lamb of God, the Great I Am, the Most High. The Eucharist, therefore, dear friends is the best marriage proposal. Ever! It is the terminus of our longing and the climax of all our hearts desires.
