From the Gospel according to Matthew 9:14-15

The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Without Him

In this Gospel, Jesus, You identify Yourself as the Bridegroom. That is the kind of relationship You have chosen with the Church, and therefore with me—and, by extension, with my spouse as well.
Your surrender is not half-hearted; You want it to be total. You want to unite Your destiny with ours. That is why, as we prepare to live Your Passion, we fast. We are getting ready to deeply miss You, Lord, in these days that take on a solemn shade of purple.

Applied to Married Life:

John: Many times, I ask myself, What would be of me without you? Many times, I savor each kiss as if it were the last. I know that sounds a little gloomy…
Megan: Well, yeah, a little bit.
John: I know, but it helps me appreciate every moment with you. It’s like Lent.
Megan: Yes, we become aware of the Lord’s death, and that helps us live the joy of the Resurrection at Easter in a new way.
John: Exactly. This Lent, I want to practice that with you every day. That way, I’ll become more aware of what it would mean for me to be without the Lord—just as I do with you.

Mother,

Help us prepare well this Lent. Thank you, Blessed Mother.