71. Moses was not the Bridegroom, for to him
cometh the word, “Loose thy shoe from off thy
foot,” Ex. iii. 5. that he might
give place to his Lord. Nor was Joshua, the son of Nun, the
Bridegroom, for to him also it was told, saying, “Loose thy shoe
from off thy foot,” Josh. v. 16. lest, by
reason of the likeness of his name, he should be thought the spouse of
the Church. None other is the Bridegroom but Christ alone, of
Whom St. John said: “He Who hath the bride is the
Bridegroom.” S. John iii. 29. They,
therefore, loose their shoes, but His shoe cannot be loosed, even as
St. John said: “I am not worthy to loose the latchet of His
shoe.” S. John i. 27.