19.12.2010- Let others live in peace, As Joseph did - mt.1.18-24
When we ask children to play a role from the Bible, many like to take the role of Joseph.
The reason is very simple; there is no dialogue in the Bible for Joseph, although he is an important person. A man with bearded face and quiet character –I too like to play this role. Yes, I've also played the role of Joseph as I was in the seminary. I was regularly Joseph in the seminary Programmes for many years.
I think it is right that no word is uttered by him in the Bible, although he is an important person in the Play of God's plan.
God, in His plan, prepared Joseph and Mary for the birth of Jesus. Mary, the girl from Judea, is chosen to give birth to Jesus. Joseph was chosen as one of the’ care taker’ of Jesus and Mary. Joseph, from the Dynasty of King David, was the person engaged to Mary. The role of Joseph helped a lot Jesus’ boyhood days to complete as God wished. He was one who did actualize whatever is told by God to do .
Firstly, in his restless minutes of Anxiety, he gets the answer from God to receive Mary as his wife.
Secondly -after the birth of Jesus, when Herod wanted to kill Infant Jesus, Joseph gets advice to seek refuge in Egypt.
Thirdly, after Herod's death, God told him to come back to Israel.
Joseph was an obedient man towards God in all these situations.
When we ask children to play a role from the Bible, many like to take the role of Joseph.
The reason is very simple; there is no dialogue in the Bible for Joseph, although he is an important person. A man with bearded face and quiet character –I too like to play this role. Yes, I've also played the role of Joseph as I was in the seminary. I was regularly Joseph in the seminary Programmes for many years.
I think it is right that no word is uttered by him in the Bible, although he is an important person in the Play of God's plan.
God, in His plan, prepared Joseph and Mary for the birth of Jesus. Mary, the girl from Judea, is chosen to give birth to Jesus. Joseph was chosen as one of the’ care taker’ of Jesus and Mary. Joseph, from the Dynasty of King David, was the person engaged to Mary. The role of Joseph helped a lot Jesus’ boyhood days to complete as God wished. He was one who did actualize whatever is told by God to do .
Firstly, in his restless minutes of Anxiety, he gets the answer from God to receive Mary as his wife.
Secondly -after the birth of Jesus, when Herod wanted to kill Infant Jesus, Joseph gets advice to seek refuge in Egypt.
Thirdly, after Herod's death, God told him to come back to Israel.
Joseph was an obedient man towards God in all these situations.
Today we examine only the narration of his first response to Mary and to God's plan.
As we read, before Joseph and Mary having lived together, Mary seemed having a child by the Holy Spirit in her Womb(mt.1, 18). At that time, for a woman to have a child previous to her marriage, was suicidal - As it is considered an act against marital trust ie. Adultery , she was supposed to be thrown down by stone until her last breath. Joseph, surely, had known about this Jewish law ,as he was a Jew. Joseph was but just and did not want her to be stoned. Joseph had 2 choices-let her live or let her die by stoning. Joseph chose the first one. Although he might have sleepless nights of anxiety, Joseph did not choose to let her wife die. He wanted Mary to live. A man who loves other people and lets them live.
As we read, before Joseph and Mary having lived together, Mary seemed having a child by the Holy Spirit in her Womb(mt.1, 18). At that time, for a woman to have a child previous to her marriage, was suicidal - As it is considered an act against marital trust ie. Adultery , she was supposed to be thrown down by stone until her last breath. Joseph, surely, had known about this Jewish law ,as he was a Jew. Joseph was but just and did not want her to be stoned. Joseph had 2 choices-let her live or let her die by stoning. Joseph chose the first one. Although he might have sleepless nights of anxiety, Joseph did not choose to let her wife die. He wanted Mary to live. A man who loves other people and lets them live.
This figure of Joseph stands against people who are always looking for the problems of others and pretending to be judges of the entire world and people.
We are in a world where there are people who think that only what they are doing is right. The fanatic people in Taliban and Afghanistan terrifies/threatens me and you. Every week we hear brutal stories of court proceedings in the Court of Taliban, etc.
In these Months, Time Magazine had written in the Cover story of a girl who underwent brutal suppression of her husband’s family which took away her nose and ears. Only when people are not loving or human friendly, man can do such acts against human beings.
When a man gets a weapon, naturally he uses it. But Joseph is not so. He remains calm and does not use the weapon against Maria to destroy her life.
But, we are often not so. In families, Working Places, etc, we are eager to find something false from our fellow human beings. Even about little things we are worried. We are people who do not lose a chance to use the weapon against other people when we have a weapon against him or her.
But, we are often not so. In families, Working Places, etc, we are eager to find something false from our fellow human beings. Even about little things we are worried. We are people who do not lose a chance to use the weapon against other people when we have a weapon against him or her.
If we are always eager to see only the wrong deeds of others , always laughing at the little mistakes of other people, we are far away from Joseph’s role model.
Joseph is a real spiritual man who does always very positive.
Joseph is a real spiritual man who does always very positive.
Let us cherish the message of today's gospel in our hearts - Let others live in peace, as Joseph did.
Joseph is a model for all people, not just for role-play , rather a model to follow in life. Amen
Joseph is a model for all people, not just for role-play , rather a model to follow in life. Amen
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