Editor’s Note: The April 28 and May 12 issues of the Catholic Star Herald include numerous articles concerning vocations, the priesthood and reflections from seminarians in the Diocese of Camden. This issue features seminarian Theodore Deluhery. More seminarian reflections can be read in the Vocations supplement that published in the last issue.
By Theodore Deluhery
I want to share with all of you the impact that one of my courses has had on my vocation: Theology of Marriage.
Throughout this course, I will be looking at the biblical, social and philosophical aspects of marriage, all while seeking to understand the faith. A striking and very interesting point is the notion that we did not know Christ until someone introduced Him to us. Just as most couples are introduced in marriage by a close friend, perhaps so, too, were we introduced to our true Bridegroom by one of his close friends.
In my course, we have just finished reading a book titled, “Jesus the Bridegroom: The Greatest Love Story Ever Told,” by Dr. Brant Pitre. One main theme is the role of John the Baptist in the divine love story. In Jewish tradition, the best man of the bridegroom would reveal the bridegroom to his bride. In the love story that is our Catholic faith, Jesus is the bridegroom and we the bride. But when was the bridegroom introduced to us?
In Saint John’s Gospel, John the Baptist introduces, or reveals, the bridegroom to the bride at Jesus’ Baptism in the Jordan. We read in John 3:26-30, “He who has the bride is the bridegroom; the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice; therefore this joy of mine is now full. He must increase, but I must decrease.”
The most amazing thing that I took out of this text is the notion of how close Jesus and John the Baptist were. Solely on a biblical level, we know from Scripture that at the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, the unborn John leaps for joy when Mary is present because he feels the presence of the Messiah. Before Christ spoke a word in his human nature, John knows his presence through Mary’s voice. Years later, John again “rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice.”
I think the Scriptures are telling us to choose our best man wisely! I am thankful for this class, as it has shown me in a more intimate way the love that God has for his bride, the Church. I also feel encouraged to humble myself as John did. In all vocations, especially when thinking of the priesthood, it is never ours, but Christ’s, calling. It is Christ asking us to share in an area of his love and of his life.
God bless, and may we all rejoice at the Bridegroom’s voice when He calls us to follow Him!
Theodore Deluhery is third theology at the College Seminary of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Andrew’s Hall, Seton Hall University, South Orange.
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