[Propertalk] Fwd: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Advent 4A

[Joe Parrish]

Forwarded:
Dear Friends,
Sunday’s sermon is entitled “Joseph- the Forgotten Man” or “Are You
eady” and deals with the gospel (Matthew 1:18-25).  Here it is:
This fourth Sunday of Advent, we usually focus on the Virgin Mary,
other of our Lord.  Today, however, we are going to cast our gaze on
he forgotten man- Joseph, Jesus’ stepfather.  His life probably
tarted out just fine.  The future looked promising.  He had a trade,
arpentry, which he probably loved.  You know the kind of person who
an disappear into the garage and work for hours on a project.  If he
ived now, he’d probably be that kind of person- fixing someone’s car
r checking out why the washer won’t work.  You know- someone who
uietly does what needs to be done and fixes what needs to be fixed.
t wasn’t just his trade that made his future look promising, his love
ife had possibilities too.  When Joseph and Mary were both young
hildren, they were chosen as potential marriage partners by their
arents.  That’s how they did in those days.  This was the first step
n the process that would end in a wedding.  So you can imagine that
oseph watched his intended as she developed from a little child into
 pretty girl and then into a blossoming teen-ager.  Then when she was
nywhere from twelve to fifteen years old, they were ready to take the
ext step toward their intended marriage- betrothal.  This was the
ime when the young couple made it publicly known that they agreed
ith their parents’ choice for a marriage partner.  This was an
xtremely serious step.  While they waited, families got to know each
ther better, temple records were checked to be sure no one was about
o marry a close relative, and the dowry was negotiated.  Once the
etrothal was announced, even though a sexual relationship between
hem was still not allowed, only a divorce could separate the couple.
he final step was coming up- it would be the wedding itself, when
oseph paraded his beloved Mary through the town from her father’s
ouse to his house for the ceremony and the consummation of the
arriage.  So here was Joseph looking forward to a wonderful life with
ary when the center was blown out of his world.  His own, his
ntended wife, his dearly betrothed Mary came and told him she was
regnant, and by the Holy Spirit yet, as if he was supposed to believe
hat.  You can imagine his thoughts!  How could she?  He had trusted
er and loved her so.  And now this!  What would his family and
riends say?  Would they think him less of a man because she had
ecretly chosen someone else over him?  And what about her- why hadn’t
he told him she wanted someone else?  Even that would be better than
his.
The next problem Joseph faced was what to do.  The law offered two
ptions.  (1)  He could publicly bring her to trial and have her
toned.  That would at least show her not to take advantage of him.
t least she would feel the pain she had inflicted on him.  (2)  His
ther legal option was to privately divorce her- just let two of his
riends be witnesses.  He decided on the second choice and went to
ed, only to dream.  In his dream, an angel spoke to him, telling him
hat this child was indeed of the Holy Spirit- so he should accept him
s his own and name him Jesus, because he would save his people from
heir sins.  When Joseph awoke, he did the right thing, the
ompassionate choice, not the legal choice.  He acted as if nothing
ad happened and took Mary as his wife.  We know the rest of the
tory.  The child Mary was carrying was Jesus, God’s son, the messiah
ho would indeed save all humanity from our sins.
We can derive four life lessons from Joseph.
5.	First, let your heart guide your head.  Don’t be too quick to “show
hem” or “throw the book at them.”  Just because you have the right to
o something does not mean you should do it.  Take the “tough love”
pproach.  Do what is best for everyone, not just what makes you feel
etter.  Resolve the problem- don’t get even.
6.	Second, don’t be arrogant.  Don’t assume you know what really
appened- what was in someone’s head or heart.  Only God knows what
eally happened, what someone was thinking, or why they did what they
id.  I remember my sixth grade graduation picnic at Palmer Park in
etroit.  Kids were playing in the water fountain.  Someone pushed my
ace in the water, and I came up sputtering and anxious for revenge.
 was sure I knew who did it, and he was going to pay for making me
ook like a fool in front of my friends.  When he went to get a drink,
 gave his face a mighty push, chipped his tooth, and to my horror
iscovered I got the wrong person!  No one but God knows what really
appened.  That’s probably why the Bible cautions, “’Vengeance is
ine; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”  If Joseph had assumed his dream
as really a nightmare, a devil-trick, his mind playing tricks on him,
e also would have assumed Mary had actually been unfaithful to him.
n his grief and rage, if he had had Mary stoned to death, what a
ragedy.  It looks like God chose Joseph as carefully as God chose
ary- either one could have destroyed (or at least postponed)
alvation history.
7.	Third, pay attention to those quiet people.  You know the saying,
Still waters run deep.”  Some of the greatest wisdom comes from just
uch people.  Now, if you’re one of those people- speak up.  God will
old you responsible for the things you DIDN’T say that would have
elped others.  If you’re not one of those people, be understanding
nd don’t write them off.  You may be writing off a Joseph.
8.	Finally, watch what you say and do, because a little one is most
ikely watching you.  Did you notice how often Joseph put “Love God,
ove neighbor” over the letter of the law?  You know who was watching
im, don’t you- the little guy who grew up to be a man who healed on
he Sabbath and said that the Sabbath was made for people, not the
ther way around.  Sounds a lot like Joseph’s influence, doesn’t it.
lso, did you notice how often Jesus referred to God as his Father or
ad?  This wouldn’t have worked too well if Joseph had been alcoholic,
busive, or a womanizer.
So, are you ready for HIM Friday night?  Look to Joseph, and get
eady.
For anyone who is interested, this sermon and updated African-American
isdom statements are posted on our NEW PARISH WEB SITE. The address
s: http://www.stpaulsepisag.com .
Blessed preaching.
udy Boli
t. Paul's Episcopal Church
aginaw, Michigan
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://stsams.org/pipermail/propertalk_stsams.org/attachments/20101219/2fef3914/attachment.htm>