Friday, December 23, 2005
CONFESSING BRIDE
Justin sent in a link to this picture of a priest absolving a bride after she's confessed right before her wedding.
Here's another beautiful wedding dress. With sleeves.
The longer I look at the picture, the more it speaks to me. This woman is minutes short of walking down the aisle. In those minutes before a wedding, what is an American bride thinking about? Most likely the last thing on her mind is confession or sin or maybe even God. Rather her thoughts are on whether the cake will arrive at the reception on time, or did someone remember to take the unity candle to the hall, or is the photographer getting pictures of the groom and their parents, or is Uncle Charles here yet--in other words thoughts related to her role as hostess, because the wedding as show and party is so important.
Maybe she's wondering if the groom has arrived. In those minutes before I got married my mother-in-law was convinced the groom was not going to show up because if he were going to go through with this, he would already be here. She recalled that he had always said he would get married after the Pope does. She conveyed her doubts to me, and I just smiled at her. I knew he would be there, just not why he seemed to be delayed. Turned out the top button on his shirt had come off when he was buttoning it, and he and his best man were trying to deal with the problem without the aid of a woman. He got there before the music started.
The last thing on my mind was confession.
And so this bride being absolved by this priest is a study in contrasts for me. The priest in his long black robe with his white hair and beard speaks of otherworldly concerns. The bride in her dress and veil speaks of the familiar wedding process of this world. The picture is counter-cultural. It takes for granted that a man and woman on the verge of marriage will deal with certain urges in a way that may not be completely in tune with God's desires. It's realistic. This confession is taking place at the last possible moment when the opportunities for offending God yet again are over. It makes allowances for human weakness while at the same time giving priority to the holiness we are called to. It is a sharp counterpoint to American wedding culture and a homily without words.
