<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div dir="auto">Forwarded: </div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div id="composer_signature" dir="auto"><div style="font-size:85%;color:#575757" dir="auto">Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.</div></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div><br></div><div style="font-size:100%;color:#000000" dir="auto"><!-- originalMessage --><div>-------- Original message --------</div><div>From: Judy <judy_boli@ecunet.org> </div><div>Date: 21/12/2019 9:12 pm (GMT-05:00) </div><div>To: Propertalk <propertalk.topic@ecunet.org> </div><div>Subject: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Advent 4A: "Joseph, the Forgotten Man" </div><div><br></div></div><div dir="ltr">
<p style="line-height:normal;mso-mirror-indents:yes"><strong><span style="font-family:"12",serif;font-weight:normal">Dear Friends,</span></strong></p>
<p style="line-height:normal;mso-mirror-indents:yes"><strong><span style="font-family:"12",serif;font-weight:normal"> </span></strong></p>
<p style="line-height:normal;mso-mirror-indents:yes"><strong><span style="font-family:"12",serif;font-weight:normal">This Sunday’s sermon is
entitled “Joseph- the Forgotten Man” or “Are You Ready?” and is based on the
gospel (Matthew 1:18-25).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Here it is: <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></strong></p>
<p style="line-height:normal;mso-mirror-indents:yes"><strong><span style="font-family:"12",serif;font-weight:normal"> </span></strong></p>
<p style="line-height:normal;text-autospace:none">This
fourth Sunday of Advent, we usually focus on the Virgin Mary, mother of our
Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Today, however, we are going to
cast our gaze on the forgotten man- Joseph, Jesus’ stepfather.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>His life probably started out just fine.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The future looked promising.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He had a trade, carpentry, which he probably
loved.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You know the kind of person who
can disappear into the garage and work for hours on a project.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You know- someone who quietly does what needs
to be done and fixes what needs to be fixed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>It wasn’t just his trade that made his future look promising, his love
life had possibilities too.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When Joseph
and Mary were both young children, they were chosen as potential marriage
partners by their parents.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That’s how
they did in those days.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This was the
first step in the process that would end in a wedding.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Then when she
was anywhere from twelve to fifteen years old, they were ready to take the next
step toward their intended marriage- betrothal.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>This was the time when the young couple made it publicly known that they
agreed with their parents’ choice for a marriage partner.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This was an extremely serious step.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Once the betrothal was announced, even though a sexual relationship
between them was still not allowed, only a divorce could separate the
couple.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So here was Joseph
looking forward to a wonderful life with Mary when the center was blown out of
his world.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You can imagine his thoughts!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>How could she?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He had trusted her and loved her so.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And now this!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>What would his family and friends say?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Would they think him less of a man because she had secretly chosen
someone else over him?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And what about
her- why hadn’t she told him she wanted someone else?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Even that would be better than this.</p>
<p style="line-height:normal;text-autospace:none"> </p>
<p style="line-height:normal;text-autospace:none">The
next problem Joseph faced was what to do.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>The law offered two options.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>(1)<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He could publicly bring her
to trial and have her stoned.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That would
at least show her not to take advantage of him.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>At least she would feel the pain she had inflicted on him.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(2)<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>His other legal option was to privately divorce her- just let two of his
friends be witnesses.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He decided on the
second choice and went to bed, only to dream.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When Joseph awoke, he did the right thing,
the compassionate choice, not the legal choice.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>He acted as if nothing had happened and took Mary as his wife.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We know the rest of the story.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The child Mary was carrying was Jesus, God’s
son, the messiah who would indeed save all humanity from our sins.</p>
<p style="line-height:normal;text-autospace:none"> </p>
<p style="line-height:normal;text-autospace:none">We
can derive four life lessons from Joseph.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span></p>
<p style="line-height:normal;text-autospace:none"> </p>
<ol type="1" style="margin-top:0in" start="1">
<li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family:; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">First, let your heart guide your head.</b><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Don’t be too quick to “show them” or
“throw the book at them.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Just
because you have the right to do something does not mean you should do
it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Take the loving approach.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Do what is best for everyone, not just
what makes you feel better.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Resolve
the problem- don’t get even.</li>
</ol>
<p style="margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto;
line-height:normal;text-autospace:none"> </p>
<ol type="1" style="margin-top:0in" start="2">
<li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family:; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Second, don’t be arrogant.</b><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Don’t assume you know what really
happened- what was in someone’s head or heart.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Only God knows what really happened,
what someone was thinking, or why they did what they did.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I remember my sixth grade graduation
picnic at Palmer Park in Detroit.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Kids were playing in the water fountain.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Someone pushed my face in the water, and
I came up sputtering and anxious for revenge.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>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!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>No one but God
knows what really happened.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That’s
probably why the Bible cautions, “’Vengeance is mine; I will repay,’ says the
Lord.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In his grief and rage, if he
had had Mary stoned to death, what a tragedy.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It looks like God chose Joseph as
carefully as God chose Mary- either one could have destroyed (or at least
postponed) salvation history.</li>
</ol>
<p style="margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto;
line-height:normal;text-autospace:none"> </p>
<ol type="1" style="margin-top:0in" start="3">
<li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family:; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Third, pay attention to those quiet
people.</b><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You know the saying,
“Still waters run deep.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Some of
the greatest wisdom comes from just such people.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now, if you’re one of those people-
speak up.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>God will hold you
responsible for the things you DIDN’T say that would have helped others.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you’re not one of those people, be
understanding and don’t write them off.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>You may be writing off a Joseph.</li>
</ol>
<p style="margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto;
line-height:normal;text-autospace:none"> </p>
<ol type="1" style="margin-top:0in" start="4">
<li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family:; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Finally, watch what you say and do,
because a little one is most likely watching you</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Did you notice how often Joseph put
“Love God, love neighbor” over the letter of the law?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Sounds a lot like Joseph’s influence,
doesn’t it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Also, did you notice
how often Jesus referred to God as his Father or Dad?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This wouldn’t have worked too well if
Joseph had been alcoholic, abusive, or a womanizer.</li>
</ol>
<p style="margin-left:.5in;mso-add-space:auto;
line-height:normal;text-autospace:none"> </p>
<p style="line-height:normal;text-autospace:none">So,
are you ready for HIM Tuesday night?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Take
Joseph as your example, and get ready.</p>
<p style="line-height:normal"><strong><span style="font-family:"12",serif;font-weight:normal"> </span></strong></p>
<p style="line-height:normal;tab-stops:.25in;
mso-mirror-indents:yes"><strong><span style="font-family:"12",serif;font-weight:
normal">For anyone who is interested, this sermon and updated African-American
wisdom statements are posted on our parish’s web site under “Sermons &
Stuff”. The address is: <a href="http://www.stpaulsepisag.org/"><span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none">http://www.stpaulsepisag.org</span></a>
.</span></strong></p>
<p style="line-height:normal;mso-mirror-indents:yes"><strong><span style="font-family:"12",serif;font-weight:normal"> </span></strong></p>
<p style="line-height:normal;mso-mirror-indents:yes"><strong><span style="font-family:"12",serif;font-weight:normal">Blessed preaching,</span></strong></p>
<p style="line-height:normal;mso-mirror-indents:yes"><strong><span style="font-family:"12",serif;font-weight:normal">Judy Boli</span></strong></p>
<p style="line-height:normal;mso-mirror-indents:yes"><strong><span style="font-family:"12",serif;font-weight:normal">St. Paul's Episcopal Church</span></strong></p>
<p style="line-height:normal;mso-mirror-indents:yes"><strong><span style="font-family:"12",serif;font-weight:normal">Saginaw, Michigan</span></strong></p>
</div>
<p></p>
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