Christ is the Bridegroom and the Church the Bride. Of this spiritual union the Apostles were born; they cannot mourn so long as they see the Bridegroom in the chamber with the Bride. But when the nuptials are past, and the time of passion and resurrection is come, then shall the children of the Bridegroom fast.
“The days shall come when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.”
Reproduced in full. Translation: Oxford 1841 (Newman), public domain (Public domain).