May 19

So I will betroth you to Me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in loving devotion and compassion. — Hos 2:19 BSB

Communion with Christ begins here, in this life. It is in our earthly existence that the mystery of our union with Him is first made known, that the spiritual espousals between Christ and His Church take place, and where the first signs of betrothed love are felt. The full celebration of this marriage is still to come, but the eternal union between Christ and His Church was established in heaven, and the spiritual engagement happens here on earth, making them one forever. Just as a husband, in becoming united to his wife, pledges to love, cherish, provide for, and protect her—counting her interests as his own—so Christ, in the eternal counsels of God, betrothed His Church to Himself. He committed to be for her everything that would secure her happiness, honor, and eternal glory. His promise is clear: “I will betroth you to Me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord” (Hosea 2:19-20). And again, “Your Maker is your husband—the Lord Almighty is His name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth” (Isaiah 54:5). “As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you” (Isaiah 62:5).

Union comes before communion, marriage before possession, and membership in Christ before abiding in Him. We must first be grafted into the Vine before we can bear fruit as one of its branches. It is the Holy Spirit who brings us to feel our need for Christ, to seek all our sustenance in Him, to believe in Him for eternal life, and to live by faith in Him. Through the Spirit’s secret workings, His gentle touches, comforting whispers, sweet promises, and especially His revealing of Christ’s glorious Person, finished work, atoning blood, and justifying righteousness, He draws our hearts to Christ. In doing so, He wins our affections and lifts our eyes to see Christ as “the chief among ten thousand” and “altogether lovely” (Song of Solomon 5:10, 16), causing us to place the world beneath our feet. All true religion flows from His Spirit and grace, His presence and power. Without Christ, all is darkness, for He is our Sun. Without Christ, all is death, for He is our Life. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith, the substance of our hope, and the object of our love.