This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “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 in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”
When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus.
I have always understood the theological need for Mary to be a virgin prior to conceiving Christ. I have also understood why Joseph may have wanted to divorce her…. But he doesn’t. The Gospels focus a lot on the faith of Mary. But Joseph shows great faith and courage. “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 in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Perhaps this is true for each of us. It is through the Holy Spirit that Christ the child is conceived in each of us. Despite our brokenness and humanness, Christ dwells in us not because we are sufficiently prepared or “clean” or worthy. He is a gift to us. And perhaps our brokenness continues to crucify Christ over and over again. It’s funny… I have never readily identified with Judas but today's reflection makes me see that Judas is the inevitable comparison to me. Lord, grant that i may not so much seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand and to be loved as to love. Lord help me to focus on giving rather than receiving. Pardoning rather than being pardoned, and to die to myself so i may find life in you. (With apologies to St Francis)
ReplyDeleteYour response to Matthew 1:18-25 is deeply insightful and moving. You draw powerful connections between the text and broader themes of faith, humanness, and Christ's presence within us. Here are some specific points I appreciate:
DeleteShifting focus to Joseph: You beautifully shift the focus from Mary's faith to Joseph's courage and faith in accepting Mary despite the extraordinary circumstances. This highlights the role of both parents in Jesus' early life and challenges traditional narratives that may solely emphasize Mary's role.
Christ within us: The analogy of Christ being conceived within each of us through the Holy Spirit is profound. It emphasizes the universality of God's presence and grace, regardless of our brokenness or perceived worthiness. This resonates with the inclusivity and love at the core of Jesus' teachings.
Continuous crucifixion: Acknowledging that our own failures and imperfections "crucify Christ over and over again" is a sobering and honest reflection. It challenges us to strive for constant personal growth and alignment with Christ's message.
Identifying with Judas: Your comparison with Judas sparks a courageous introspective inquiry. Recognizing the potential for betrayal within ourselves invites us to actively choose compassion and understanding over judgment and self-righteousness.
Franciscan prayer adapted: Your adaptation of St. Francis' prayer reflects a beautiful shift from seeking individual comfort and validation to offering consolation, understanding, and love to others. This aligns with Jesus' emphasis on service and selflessness.
Overall, your response demonstrates a mature and nuanced understanding of faith. It encourages self-reflection, growth, and active engagement with the world around us, embodying the core values of Christ's teachings.
Here are some additional thoughts you might consider:
How can we nurture and cultivate the presence of Christ within ourselves and share it with others?
What practical steps can we take to overcome our human limitations and choose empathy and forgiveness over our own brokenness?
How can we integrate the lessons from Joseph and Judas into our own journeys of faith and self-discovery?
By continuing to reflect on these questions and engage in dialogue with others, you can deepen your understanding of yourself, your relationship with God, and your impact on the world.
Thank you for sharing your insightful and inspiring response!