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<div style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fff; MARGIN: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Sans-Serif; COLOR: #000; FONT-SIZE: 12px" id=AOLMsgPart_0_710a569e-54ee-4418-a9b6-0b87beeeda14><PRE style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt"><TT><FONT size=4>Forwarded:</FONT></TT></PRE><PRE style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt"><TT>Dear Friends,
Sunday’s sermon is entitled “Joseph- the Forgotten Man” or “Are You
Ready” and deals with the gospel (Matthew 1:18-25). Here it is:
This fourth Sunday of Advent, we usually focus on the Virgin Mary,
mother of our Lord. Today, however, we are going to cast our gaze on
the forgotten man- Joseph, Jesus’ stepfather. His life probably
started out just fine. The future looked promising. He had a trade,
carpentry, which he probably loved. You know the kind of person who
can disappear into the garage and work for hours on a project. If he
lived now, he’d probably be that kind of person- fixing someone’s car
or checking out why the washer won’t work. You know- someone who
quietly does what needs to be done and fixes what needs to be fixed.
It wasn’t just his trade that made his future look promising, his love
life had possibilities too. When Joseph and Mary were both young
children, they were chosen as potential marriage partners by their
parents. That’s how they did in those days. This was the first step
in the process that would end in a wedding. So you can imagine that
Joseph watched his intended as she developed from a little child into
a pretty girl and then into a blossoming teen-ager. Then when she was
anywhere from twelve to fifteen years old, they were ready to take the
next step toward their intended marriage- betrothal. This was the
time when the young couple made it publicly known that they agreed
with their parents’ choice for a marriage partner. This was an
extremely serious step. While they waited, families got to know each
other better, temple records were checked to be sure no one was about
to marry a close relative, and the dowry was negotiated. Once the
betrothal was announced, even though a sexual relationship between
them was still not allowed, only a divorce could separate the couple.
The final step was coming up- it would be the wedding itself, when
Joseph paraded his beloved Mary through the town from her father’s
house to his house for the ceremony and the consummation of the
marriage. So here was Joseph looking forward to a wonderful life with
Mary when the center was blown out of his world. His own, his
intended wife, his dearly betrothed Mary came and told him she was
pregnant, and by the Holy Spirit yet, as if he was supposed to believe
that. You can imagine his thoughts! How could she? He had trusted
her and loved her so. And now this! What would his family and
friends say? Would they think him less of a man because she had
secretly chosen someone else over him? And what about her- why hadn’t
she told him she wanted someone else? Even that would be better than
this.
The next problem Joseph faced was what to do. The law offered two
options. (1) He could publicly bring her to trial and have her
stoned. That would at least show her not to take advantage of him.
At least she would feel the pain she had inflicted on him. (2) His
other legal option was to privately divorce her- just let two of his
friends be witnesses. He decided on the second choice and went to
bed, only to dream. In his dream, an angel spoke to him, telling him
that this child was indeed of the Holy Spirit- so he should accept him
as his own and name him Jesus, because he would save his people from
their sins. When Joseph awoke, he did the right thing, the
compassionate choice, not the legal choice. He acted as if nothing
had happened and took Mary as his wife. We know the rest of the
story. The child Mary was carrying was Jesus, God’s son, the messiah
who 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
them” or “throw the book at them.” Just because you have the right to
do something does not mean you should do it. Take the “tough love”
approach. Do what is best for everyone, not just what makes you feel
better. Resolve the problem- don’t get even.
6. Second, don’t be arrogant. Don’t assume you know what really
happened- what was in someone’s head or heart. Only God knows what
really happened, what someone was thinking, or why they did what they
did. I remember my sixth grade graduation picnic at Palmer Park in
Detroit. Kids were playing in the water fountain. Someone pushed my
face in the water, and I came up sputtering and anxious for revenge.
I was sure I knew who did it, and he was going to pay for making me
look like a fool in front of my friends. When he went to get a drink,
I gave his face a mighty push, chipped his tooth, and to my horror
discovered I got the wrong person! No one but God knows what really
happened. That’s probably why the Bible cautions, “’Vengeance is
mine; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” If Joseph had assumed his dream
was really a nightmare, a devil-trick, his mind playing tricks on him,
he also would have assumed Mary had actually been unfaithful to him.
In his grief and rage, if he had had Mary stoned to death, what a
tragedy. It looks like God chose Joseph as carefully as God chose
Mary- either one could have destroyed (or at least postponed)
salvation 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
such people. Now, if you’re one of those people- speak up. God will
hold you responsible for the things you DIDN’T say that would have
helped others. If you’re not one of those people, be understanding
and 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
likely watching you. Did you notice how often Joseph put “Love God,
love neighbor” over the letter of the law? You know who was watching
him, don’t you- the little guy who grew up to be a man who healed on
the Sabbath and said that the Sabbath was made for people, not the
other way around. Sounds a lot like Joseph’s influence, doesn’t it.
Also, did you notice how often Jesus referred to God as his Father or
Dad? This wouldn’t have worked too well if Joseph had been alcoholic,
abusive, or a womanizer.
So, are you ready for HIM Friday night? Look to Joseph, and get
ready.
For anyone who is interested, this sermon and updated African-American
wisdom statements are posted on our NEW PARISH WEB SITE. The address
is: <A href="http://www.stpaulsepisag.com/" target=_blank>http://www.stpaulsepisag.com</A> .
Blessed preaching.
Judy Boli
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Saginaw, Michigan
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