December 19, 2010 reading:
4th Sunday of Advent
Matthew 1:18-25
We know so little about Joseph!
He’s a righteous man. He’s a carpenter by trade. Don’t think of a noble craftsman with a prosperous shop. Think of a man with a satchel of primitive tools. Walking the roads. Looking for work. Swallowing his pride. Trying to forget his citizenship. Climbing the hill to work for the Romans in Sephoris. At least it’s work. A man has to make a living. He’s still a righteous man. At least he has that.
The same legends that make Mary a spinster of 16 make Joseph an old man. That’s to explain his disappearance from the story early on. If he’s really an old man, not yet married, let’s make him middle-aged. Maybe 21. If he’s much older than that, he’ll never marry. Maybe take a religious vow. Maybe die a beggar.
He’s a righteous man. He’s done well in his religion since becoming a man at 13. His elders approve of him. Maybe his poverty, and his dedication to daily labour and religion, have delayed his marriage. But marry he must. And Mary it will be.
He’s tired. His hands ache from a day of hard work. Splinters. Blisters. Sunburn. His hands ache from wringing. From beating his chest. What should a righteous man do? The elders are certain. He must distance himself from Mary right away. Let the law and the community see to her.
His good name is all he has. He must protect it. And he must guard his walk with God. There’s no place for a sinner on his path. That will mean the end for Mary. At best she’ll be banished from the community. If there’s an ill wind in town she’ll be stoned to death. Joseph will still be a righteous man.
He covers his face with his rough hands. They remind him of his precarious existence. What business does he have being engaged, betrothed, as good as married? How could he have made that deal with Mary’s father, another righteous man?
Joseph sees through his fingers. A flicker of light. He’ll go to Mary’s father. He’ll break the engagement quietly. Maybe the neighbours really don’t know about Mary after all. Maybe some relative in another village will take her in. He’s a righteous man. He will not hide behind the letter of the law. He’ll do what’s best for Mary. Others will think him a fool. He looks at his hands. At least he’ll be a fool who knows how to work hard. Maybe in some other town.
He sleeps. It may just be superstition, but sometimes things become clear in dream-time. We know what happens next. Righteous Joseph gets the right answer. Just not the one he expects. A dream. A visitor. A commission. A promise. A name. As it was for the prophets of old. Another partnership sealed. Another servant set apart and empowered.
For nine months in time, God leaves God’s plan for the redemption of the world in the calloused hands of a simple, righteous young man. Thirty-nine weeks the fate of the universe resides in the heart of a bold and frightened girl. For years after, God leaves the fulfilment of that great plan to grow in a child. First held, then led, and taught by the righteous man with the rough red hands. Loved and feared by the woman with the divinely-enlarged, Spirit-singed heart.
This is the way God works to redeem the world. Through presence, not power. In partnership, not domination. Through small miracles and “big events.” With Marys. And Josephs. And you and me. That may not make much sense to us. But it’s enough to make the angels shout good news of great joy which shall be for all people.
“This Child will be Emmanuel,
Not God upon a throne
But God-with-us, Emmanuel,
As close as blood and bone.”
– The Hands That First Held Mary’s Child, Book of Praise #158
