Great and Holy Monday
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We commemorate the cleansing of the Temple by our Lord: he rebukes the leadership for having allowed commercial vendors to intrude on the holy space, instead of being outside of its walls where they properly belonged. It is a condemnation of the corruption that had intruded into the priestly class of the time, and a warning to us: what do we allow to interfere with our spiritual life?
The famous melody “The Bridegroom Comes in the middle of the night” is sung repeatedly, warning us to be like the wise virgins and be vigilant (Matthew 25: 1-13). Jesus Christ is the bridegroom of every soul: will I be found alert and prepared for his coming?
The Old Testament readings bring us the story of Joseph the patriarch. He foreshadows Christ, in that he was also betrayed by his brethren, sold for a pittance of money, but in the end triumphed because of his firm faith.
The Bridegroom icon is not what one would expect. It depicts Jesus as a prisoner, wrapped in the scarlet robe of mockery, crowned with the painful thorns, and his hands tied in front of him. This graphically illustrates the voluntary sacrifice of the Son of God on our behalf, for our salvation. Do we appreciate the great love shown to us by the Divine Bridegroom of our souls?