Spaces in (cross) references

Question

Is there a way to allow spaces when typing references? In particular I’m wondering about the Bible Modules, though this may also apply to cross references. Ideally the space would be optional, meaning Paratext would read the reference either way.

Example:
\ref MAT 1:2,5
\ref MAT 1:2,␣5

Currently the first reference works in Bible Modules, but the second fails. One of our teammembers is requesting that the second also work.