PRESENCE

ANOTHER YEAR OVER:LOSSES AND GAINS!

This last Sunday of the Nativity Fast (Holy Advent) presents us with the genealogy – family tree of the Lord in preparation to receive him in the manger of our hearts. (Mat 1: 1-25)

We may be familiar with my ancestry.com and even more with the next step of that process – tracing ones roots in antiquity. Tis a rather tempting offer to unearth ones origins and discover the connection with the famous and non, the good, the bad, and the ugly as it were.

I once was asked by a very dear friend: “Which category of paradise will you be in? I presume you will be high up with the reverent people as a senior bishop of the Church?” At this what immediately came to mind were the words of the Lord in the Gospel of the Apostle, Evangelist and doctor St. Luke of Syria: “Where your treasure is then most certainly your heart shall also reside!” (Lk 12:34)

With that I told my friend: “I don’t want to be will those fine people with all due respect. I want to be with my people – the people I was shepherd too in life and helped and they in turn were family to me!” I tend to tell this little story at each burial or entombment I serve so that those gathered may have a sense of comfort and anticipated joy; a reminder that love doesn’t die, is eternal, and came into the world - born in Bethlehem.

We may all be familiar with the rose glass portrayal of the beautiful virgin and her young husband, the shepherds who make music with their pipes, the angels with their celestial songs, and the wise with their expensive gifts. This is remote from the reality of the situation at hand.

The world back then and as it is now was not a nice place, people were taxed through their eyeballs as an expression of speech, social security was null and void, harsh sickness ruled those who were not well off, and democracy was but a dream. In addition, religious laws were to be observed and failure resulted in harsh penalties and loss of life. Thus, you were either executed or blacklisted where the only escape was the wilderness!

Yet at this point in time, a time where the authority of the Caesars put in place one of the most torturous system of execution flagellation (whip via nine tail razors) and crucifixion (slow death via drowning in your pectoral fluids) God reached out and broke through the walls of division and strife!

When you love someone, you will do anything for that person and even risk your own life; these days - offer a bodily organ in order to safeguard their very life regardless the cost! We tend to go with our gut feeling when we are confused about any given situation and take what people say with a grain of salt as it were.

This is exactly what happened with young St. Joseph who loved his wife Mariam and she in turn loved him, yet when something out of this world happens – it’s hard that people would believe you; opting to think ill or paling away into the worst possible situation.

It is here that young Joseph places aside all opposing slander and thinks logically about how true Mariam’s love for him is. In actual fact He is sure that someone had raped her as stated in the proto evangelium (Gospel) of St. James. May I share with you a portion from our encyclical entitled Joseph of Nazareth.

As opposed to the misguided and ill-founded understanding regarding Joseph’s age mentioned above: Joseph was a young man! He was as the scriptures exhort: just and well versed in the craft of carpentry and building – a trade Jesus and his brothers (cousins) learnt well. Hence, Joseph was not only just in fairness but a religious young man who put God first in all things.

The Shema Yisrael which is the heart of the law (Deut 6:4-6) was truly written in his heart! Thus he (Joseph) could not out of profound love for Mariam allow his fiancé to be hurt by the Levitical law which demanded stoning! Such condemnatory sentiments were brewing in the community when she was thought to have been found unfaithful to the engagement via the pregnancy.

Yet God to whom all hearts and desires are known knew his (Joseph’s) love for her (Mariam) when he (Joseph) decided to divorce her discreetly to avoid harm; God surprised him for that which she carried in her womb is the fulfilment of the Shema Yisrael – thus (Joseph) sacrificed intimate love for the love of Emmanuel come amongst them. After all, true love that is not conceited endures all things for the sake of its stronghold as proved many times over (periods of war) and not only in health, but in sickness and in days that are indeed bleak!

It is true that Joseph could not comprehend what had happened and indeed was in much pain earlier on in the piece regarding the thought (knowing Mariam well) that she may have been violently defiled. An extract of thus appears in the apocrypha (protoevangelium of James 2AD) reading: “With what face shall I look upon the Lord my God? What prayer shall I offer for the maiden? I received her a virgin from the temple of the Lord, and I have not watched over her. Who is it that has hunted me down? Who has brought this evil upon my house in defiling the virgin?” (PJ 13)

Although such is of apocryphal writing, yet the ties of profound love harboured from Joseph for Mariam: “Love others as you would yourself!” (Lev 19: 18) could not allow harm to come to her as opposed to the same Levitical law which demanded capital punishment in such circumstances (the penalty of stoning for adultery: Deut 22: 22-14) Hence, he (Joseph) tried to do right firstly by the Law of Moses (divorce: Deut 24:1) and also with that according to the grounds of compassionate love for Mariam regardless: “lf one in marriage falls – help the other up and pity them especially if they are vulnerable!” (Eccl: 4:9 -12) and it is here that in faithfulness God via his angel intervenes and reassures!

Soon after Joseph had made considerations regarding the matter - it is here that he is granted a vision from the angel of the Lord who reassured him saying: “Joseph, you who are of the linage of David, do not fear for Mariam, rather embrace her as your wife and heir of your household for He that dwells in her womb is the Grace of the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to he who is the Son and you are to address him with the name that is salvation: Jesus – the one who redeems his people from sin!” (Mt 1:20-21)

Joseph’s faithfulness to God via his mission is clearly stated in Holy Scripture as we have indicated within this encyclical – a mission many especially in our times would not even consider to see through! Let us re-cap the account from the moment of courtship as would have been, to that of the moment they return to Nazareth from Egypt.

Like our father in faith Abraham – Joseph trusted the Most High: this was and is non-negotiable for those of us who truly and wholeheartedly believe - thus proved in overwhelming, life threatening, and tragic circumstances! How many times have we seen in history and in our age – people especially clergy running away in fear to safeguard their prestigious life instead of facing reality (coming to terms with their very selves) and struggling to fight the good fight with and for the people appointed them???

Thus, we are given a window into the courtship of Joseph and Mariam which was the same as any other couple for if it was not – how could Emmanuel truly incarnate and redeem without taking on the totality of a fragile humanity in its fullness? Hence, the couple loved one another and knew the limits and what was required of them via the Law of Moses.

Mariam not only lives up to what the Lord desires of her: “God’s favour is upon you!” (Lk 1:30) but, she is set apart: “Blessed are you amongst all women!” (Lk 1:42) and is directly chosen: “The Holy Spirit will overshadow you!” (Lk 1:35) to be the Mother of God: “He is Greatness and is the beloved Son and awaited promise!” (Lk 1: 32)

Joseph too is bestowed the mission of safeguarding the Lord’s infancy for he (Joseph) was favoured by God: “For Joseph was faithful to the Law!” (Mt 1:19) and obedient to what was commanded him: “When he awoke from the vision – he fulfilled the Lord’s commandments!” (Mt 1: 24) he was entrusted with safeguarding the infant Lord with full trust and confidence: “Take the Child and his Mother and flee to Egypt!” (Mt 2: 13)

Therefore Joseph was indeed given the authority to become the Lord’s guardian and earthly father: “Return to the land of Israel with the child and his Mother…settling in Nazareth!” (Mt 2: 20 & 23) nurturing the life of the young Lord as a good and God-fearing father who adored the Lord in the written word and personified state become Son of Man. Truly, hearts that are in line with that of God indeed long for him: “Although my heart may weaken, yet God is the source of my strength and will grant fulfilment that I may delight in him forever!” (Ps 73:26)

Hence, hinging onto the previous, what could we possibly do when we are dealt a bad round of cards and are at times called to help such a confronting and unpleasant situation? Some of you would be familiar with the expression taken from the gospel pages written by St. Matthew the former Tax Administrator (Mat 5:38) “turn the other cheek!” We may have heard that the greatest gift we can give to another human being is the gift of presence, the gift of our time.

Oftentimes, it happens that due to the other person’s inner hurt and fragile self, we cop the punches via words of abuse which is really a cry for help; informing us about how much pain they are in. At this we are present and weather the storm with patience, compassion and understanding until the other person picks themselves up from the dark hole they have fallen into. Thus, we turn the other cheek and stand strong via offering our presence in solidarity, even if we have lost value within that timeframe and have become insignificant through that person’s hurt whose cognitive abilities are at an all-time low.

Let us remember that there was no room for the couple within Joseph’s own city Bethlehem and every door they knocked on was politely slammed in their face. It brings to mind society nowadays choosing who to raise and who to drop regardless of status and how easy all of us can fall into that whirlpool. Yet, the couple was offered a cave where shepherds stored goods along with their prize stock.

Hence, the lifeline of providence and mercy invites us to render onto those who cross our path – the heart of God who calls us to be perfect (encompassing with graciousness) as he is. (Mat 5: 48) May I conclude with a phrase from the Nativity Homily of St. Ambrose bishop of Milan (374 – 397AD): “Just as the manger fed the animals, He who is the bread of Heaven came to nourish us via his very life – transforming our hearts into the manger of re-birth which renders goodness and grace!”

As the world completes a year and begins another, let our week’s prayer be the following taken from the Glorious Hours (Office of Daily Prayers) of Nativity which once again invites us through humility and wholeheartedness; transforming our true selves into God’s gift, his hands and feet in the world, a safe haven and abundant well for those who are lost. Truly, a reminder that even the most despised and insignificant is part of his greater plan – an amazing grace which touches the sore spots and relieves the pain and loss via restoring one’s dignity which in his eyes and heart is truly a great gain! (Lk 15: 11-32)

The prophecy heralded by Holy Micha approaches the fulfilment when it proclaimed the coming of he who is the embodiment of mysticism. Thus it is written: “Oh Bethlehem you who are Ephrata (fruitful), you may be considered insignificant amongst the tribes of Judah. Therefore, prepare that cave within your slopes. Yet, from the meekness of your status I shall raise you on high above all others. Behold he comes in the flesh and is born from the young virgin. My grace will arise out of your city for the ancient of days who will feed his flock with the finest of wheat comes to shepherd you as the Holy One who is true king of Israel!”

Minor Canon of the 8th Tone from the Glorious Hours of Holy Nativity: Holy Apostles Metropolis.