Greetings on this the Fourth Sunday of Advent
Readings: Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6.; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-24
Preached at 4:00 PM Saturday Mass and again 7:30 AM Sunday – slightly different types. Will post videos when available.
4PM
Summary
The Birth of Jesus as told by the gospel of Matthew is an expression of the Aspirational Nativity. Through the Incarnation, God offers a sign that lifts humanity upward into divine participation. Joseph’s response is par excellence and the first example of this lifting up. We often talk about Joseph’s silence (Joseph has no speaking parts in the gospel story) but that is a literary device. By not giving Joseph a speaking part we can see more vividly the spiritual aspiration coming alive within him and his most important and subsequent actions: taking responsibility for the wellbeing and safety of Mary and Jesus. Joseph is the protector and participant in salvation history. Joseph’s ‘Yes’ brings Jesus into the Davidic line and the family into the salvation plan.
As the saying goes, actions speak louder than words. Joseph’s actions were Public and Strong:
- Joseph took Mary as wife.
- Joseph took Jesus as Son in the line of David (Joseph’s YES).
- Joseph hosted The Visit of the Magi to Mary and Jesus.
- Joseph took them to Egypt to protect them from The Massacre of the Infants.
- Joseph returned them to Galilee.
Ahaz Lost the Horizon/Aspiration
By way of contrast we are giving the story of Ahaz and Isaiah with the story of Joseph and the Angel.
In our first reading from Isaiah, Ahaz is offered the opportunity to think in terms of aspiration (dreams and goals of the divine will for him and his people). Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God; let it be deep as the netherworld, or high as the sky (Isa 7:11)! For Ahaz he couldn’t bring himself to think in these terms – a false humility masking his political fear. Ahaz refuses the aspirational nativity – the upward call of God. The Lord offered that, even if Ahaz cannot, the Lord does have aspirations for us! The Lord himself will give you a sign; the young woman, pregnant and about to bear a son, shall name him Emmanuel (God with us) (Isa 7:14).
Matthew models Joseph’s initial response after the Birth and Adoption of Moses. Amram (father) and Jochebed (mother) who placed Moses in a papyrus basket and set him on the river Nile to ‘quitely‘ save Moses from danger in an analogous way (by way of a ‘divorce‘/in response to ‘false shame‘ of being Hebrew). Hide Mary and Jesus from those who would harm them. Joseph understood the danger because he understood the gift he was given: protector of the new Moses. Joseph proposed a new Ark.
Joseph already understood:
A) Mary is holy.
B) Something divine is happening.
C) He is unworthy to be a part and/or his model is the story of Moses.
The Angel in a dream offered a better path.
- Mary is the Ark of the Covenant. No need for a papyrus basket… You, Joseph, are the basket.
- Joseph receives THE divine revelation, which we now name as, The Hypostatic Union (one person, two natures). Fully divine/fully human. Consubstantial with the Father/Consubstantial with Mary.
- Joseph is given the goal to hide them in plain sight!
- Joseph stands bravely for the divine plan of salvation in this woman and child.
Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Joseph knew the prophecy of Isaiah: Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.”
• Jesus – Yahweh saves. Jesus the human is the propitiation for sin – as only way it can be. For unless the new man, by making him in the likeness of sinful humanity, had taken on himself the nature of our first parents, unless he had stooped to be one in substance with his mother while sharing the Father’s substance…. United our nature to his, the whole human race would still be held captive (Leo the Great: letter).
• Emmanuel – God with us. Face to Face. The divine life shares in the pain and glory of Jesus’ humility and sacrifice and the reality of human suffering.
Reflection on Aspirational Nativity
- God draws humanity upward.
- God trusts us with divine partnership.
- God invites us to bear, protect, and reveal Christ.
Personal Reflection
to all the beloved of God … called to be holy… Just like Joseph, yet not in his non-speaking role, but in his bravery and assertion of the divine salvation plan. Joseph started with a protective by hiding plan but growing quickly into protection by exposition! The dream expands Joseph, not contradicts him! Joseph’s humility is not fear – it is awe!
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122125.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry