Introduction:

Have you ever wondered about the daily life of someone married to the divine? This episode explores the unique and often perplexing world of “Mrs. Jesus,” as chronicled in the Radically Happy blog series. We examine the intimate and cosmic dimensions of her marriage, where domesticity intertwines with the creation of the universe.

Core Conflict:

Inspired by the question posed in On Loving Jesus—“What is it like to be in love with Jesus? More importantly: to know that He is in love with you?”—we explore this relationship through Mrs. Jesus’s perspective. Her experiences reveal a love that demands understanding beyond the ordinary, where her husband’s frequent absences are not due to earthly concerns but his ongoing “Father’s work.”

Key Themes and Narrative Threads:

• The 1950s Setting with a Twist – The story begins in a seemingly idyllic suburban home, reminiscent of classic black-and-white sitcoms. However, this normalcy is soon disrupted by the extraordinary nature of her husband’s work and their family life.

• The Burden of Responsibility and the Desire for Connection – Mrs. Jesus struggles with feeling alone and overly responsible for their children during Jesus’s absences. She longs for a deeper connection and understanding of his life beyond their home. Jesus reassures her that the responsibility for their children’s shortcomings lies with him and his mission.

• A Wife’s Journey to Understand Divine Work – In a pivotal moment, Jesus takes Mrs. Jesus to witness his creation, revealing a vast and intricate universe that he is constantly building and maintaining. She realizes that his departures are essential for the creation and future of their family and all existence.

• The Cost of Redemption and the Desire to Participate – Mrs. Jesus expresses a powerful desire not just to be Jesus’s bride but his wife, seeking to understand and even participate in his divine work. She learns that “all of creation starts with my blood, and my Father’s broken body,” emphasizing the immense cost of their shared mission to restore “the power of God back into the world.”

• Embracing Suffering for Deeper Intimacy – In a symbolic and painful act, Mrs. Jesus undergoes a process involving nails, signifying her willingness to endure suffering to know Jesus more fully. Her motivation is clear: “All that matters is whether it brings me closer to you.”

• The Dark Night of the Soul – The story explores themes of abandonment and despair when Jesus is absent, mirroring the solemnity of Holy Saturday. Mrs. Jesus experiences profound loneliness and questions her very existence without him.

• The True Meaning of “Living” – The finale introduces a temptation reminiscent of the Garden of Eden, where a snake offers an easier path to “live” by ignoring the world’s pain. However, Mrs. Jesus ultimately chooses to partake of the “other” tree with bitter fruit, symbolizing the suffering and sacrifice necessary for true life and union with Jesus. She understands that only by experiencing the bitterness can she truly appreciate and partake in the other fruit without being destroyed by it.

Symbolic Elements:

The episode explores rich symbolism, including the cozy 1950s house, the arduous journey through the mountains, the “tree of all creation,” and the contrasting imagery of the two trees in the final installment.

Emotional Arc:

The story traces Mrs. Jesus’s emotional journey from confusion and loneliness to a deeper understanding of her husband’s divine purpose and her own role within it. It follows her commitment to a love that demands sacrifice, understanding, and a willingness to embrace both joy and profound sorrow.

Concluding Question:

Ultimately, this episode invites us to reflect: What does it truly mean to love and be loved by someone whose work transcends the earthly realm? And what are the radical implications of such a profound and all-encompassing love?