Mary and Joseph Models of
Advent and Christmas!
·
Isa 7:10-14; · Ps 24:1-6;
· Rom 1:1-7
· Matt 1:18-24
Today we celebrate the last Sunday in
Advent- Sunday before Christmas. And all that we are asking for—wherever we are
(in Netherlands, Africa, Us etc…), is the grace to prepare well in peace and
joy for the forth coming Christmas. We also pray for the grace to hope and
believe all that has been foretold by ancient Israel’s prophets (Isaiah,
Jeremiah, Zephaniah, Balaam, John the Baptist) - preached by Paul in his
ministries. We are also want to take to heart the messages of the angels,
particularly Gabriel, which we heard repeatedly during this season of Advent these
past four weeks of Advent, particularly today- that we like Joseph should not be afraid of the future. Joseph in today's reading is told not be
afraid, but to take Mary, his wife home! Mary and Joseph’s faith must inspire us to
be more hopeful more trusting not only in the biblical mystery of the
incarnation of God, but that this God accompanies us on our journeys!
In the first reading, and in a
terrible context, if I may call it so, of the eighth century’s economic and socio- political upheavals
of great fear, war, and threats of exile, of losing the homeland, to the
Assyrian military power, Isaiah, the prophet, prophesied that Israel remain
calm. Israel should not be afraid. Israel must remain calm. Israel should be hopeful, for, “behold a
virgin shall conceived and give birth to a child, whose name shall be called
Immanuel, meaning God is with us” (Isa 7:14).
Isaiah’s prophecy against fear and despair
lives on forever. The word of God lives on. It is ever alive. The reason is that fear and hope transcends time. It transcends
the old Israel. As the new and renewed Israel, we do have our fears and hope,
fears of war and hope for peace, fears of scarcity of food, jobs, and hope
for economic opportunities and prosperity,. We do have fears of political instability and
hope for political security. Fears of unsteady leadership and hope that every
nation’s capital be free of corruption and nepotism.
Isaiah’s prophecy which lives on, cuts
through the time of David, throughout history, and is fulfilled in our times, as rightly noted by Paul in
the 2nd reading and further narrated particularly in today’s Gospel of
Matthew’s genealogy. It is a story of fulfillment of God's promise to us. A young Jewish woman, Mary was betrothed to Joseph. Suddenly,
and before the marriage was consummated she was found with a mysterious pregnancy.
It was the work of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:38). With God everything is
possible. With us human, most things are skeptical!
in this divine story Joseph is God’s instrument. Mary is God’s
instrument. She is the handmaid of the Lord! As God would have used Mary and Joseph, God can use any of us to speak to our neighbors,
to address our needs, to raise our kids, to support our fellow worker, friends and spouses, though it comes with challenges. In the case of Joseph
and Mary it was mockery, humiliation and threats of dead. For how can Mary’s
story and experience with the Angel Gabriel be true!
But the believing Mary, believed Gabriel and said to the angel Gabriel, be
it done to me according to your words (Luke 1:38). Joseph also believed and responded to the angel who said to him, “Joseph, son of
David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home; For it is
through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived,” (Matt 1:18-24). Do we believe in ourselves? Do we believe in one another- images of God? importantly do we believe in God, that with him everything is possible?
This fourth Sunday of Advent's story challenges us believers,
not to cease to trust in God. Not to fail to tell our stories of faith, share
our experience of love and practice peace and reconciliation. Joseph teaches us
not to be afraid of the future and of the unknown. Not to give in to gossip.
Not to cease to hope in all circumstances of lives. Not to cease to be patient with ourselves, with our
children, with our subjects, with our superiors, even with our government and
political leaders. The biblical Joseph was not in a hurry to divorce Mary.
This, among other virtues earns him the title, Joseph, the Just. Joseph, the
prayerful man. Joseph the saddiq. Jospeh the prudent man. Like Abraham, Joseph, the
man of faith, the hard worker, and the peace maker! And Mary the handmaid of
the Lord!
As we prepare for Christmas we pray that
the grace of God be poured into our hearts, homes, church communities (barracks),
into our society and nations so that we may continue to be more a hopeful community of faith who appreciative the mysteries of God, who listens to his voice, who embraces and recognizes divine presence in our midst as we daily strive to imitate the virtues of Mary and Joseph.
Reflection Questions:
1. As
Christmas approaches what are your fears, uncertainties and challenges?2. How do you manage your fears or assist your neighbor to deal with fears or mysterious circumstances of his or her life?
3. Do you see yourself in Mary and in Joseph’s story, models of faith and hope?
