Family Crisis
The Gospel reading for today details a family crisis. We grow up with these words, we know them by heart, but it is only living in the countries near where Jesus was actually born that I have come to ponder these words in my heart, and try to imagine what it meant in Mary’s time.
Matthew 1:18-25
18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah* took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ 22 All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
23 ‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel’,
which means, ‘God is with us.’ 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son;* and he named him Jesus.
Living in Jordan, living in the Gulf has helped me so much to understand the context in which this birth took place. In America today, it is still hoped for that women will be married when they have children, but it is not taken for granted. No one goes out and kills a daughter or sister who has had sexual relations with a man before she is married. Parents don’t disown daughters who conceive before the vows are publicly exchanged.
Even now, in the Middle East, most expect women to be virgin at marriage, and to conceive only after the formalities of marriage. There are steep penalties to be paid for varying from that route. Banishment. Death. Dishonor. A bastard child, if she lives that long. These are all things Mary was facing as she entered her earliest months of pregnancy. Joseph had decided to set her aside – not to marry her. He was a decent man, but a man of the times, he didn’t want a pregnant bride. The angel comes – he tells Joseph that this baby is special, conceived of the Holy Spirit, that Mary remains virgin. And miracle of miracles . . . Joseph listens.
What a courageous woman. What a courageous man.
8 Comments »
Leave a comment
Recent Comments
Catherine on Donna Leon Crossing Cultu… intlxpatr on Ignoring the Law thani on Ignoring the Law Anon. on British Soldier Kidnapped, Esc… Reeva Mills on Cahors to Bordeaux, Preparing… Wikipedia Donate Button
Amazina
Early Voting in Florida
Here There and Everywhere 
I love your way of placing Maria’s predicament in a modern light!
And I love the cartoon! Can I nick it for my own blog?
I found it on Google images, so I have no claim to the cartoon, Aafke. And it is my comment on the horrors happening right now in Gaza. It makes me so sad, so disgusted, I can hardly function.
I know… And I’m angry at all the media here going about the ”Palestinian rockets” because if you see them they are more like fireworks. I bet if one landed right on your head you’d be dead, but it’s a bit pathetic compared to the big guns and huge war-machines of the Israelis. They are the ones that killed nearly 300 people by now!
And everybody claims they’re in the ”right”
Nobody has any right to kill innocent, non-military bystanders. And they both do.
They both do.
It is a truly horrible – and unnecessary situation. Meanwhile, people are dying tragic, meaningless deaths on both sides, when, if united, they could be a formidable nation, drawing strength from their diversity. Their cultures are more alike than they are different.
wow! i wrote a draft about the Quranic story of Jesus’s birth a few days ago. (The Muslim version of the story does not include Joseph as a fiance.)I’ll have to post it soon but it’s always been my opinion that Mary was tested more by God with the birth of Jesus than any man mentioned in these stories.I love her!
I would LOVE to read what you have written, GE&B. I would love to read your perspective. Living here has helped me understand exactly how Mary’s marriage works – that you can be married – the papers have been signed – and still living in your parents home until you are ready for consummation. Living in this culture has helped me understand so much about our own beliefs, has helped me understand what is culture and what is religion. Would you notify me when you post it?
I love the final words of your post; I guess I had never really thought of the courage of Mary and Joseph in that light before. Although we face less adversity in the states, marrying someone who is pregnant by someone else is a courageous act of faith by any standard! After all, ALL babies are special and have no control over how they were conceived.
Thank you for thinking about it, Maria. 🙂 I love these words “But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.” I ponder the fact that she was 14 – 15 years old, and while some may argue that girls matured into women earlier in those days, I can’t help but think how little emotional maturity most women have at that age; to take on the huge responsibilities of wifehood and motherhood. 15 years old. . . .