December 23, 2007 at Saint Mark Chuch in Norman, OK
He is the central human character at the beginning of Matthew’s Gospel. He is no stranger to fear, disappointment, confusion, and doubt.
He is the perfect example of what the Old Testament calls a “just man.”
That does not mean he is a “nice guy.” He reminds us that the way we live our lives, the choices we make, and relationships we have make a difference. He could have followed every legal recourse and exercised his rights, but he did not do so. He could have done what was expected of him by others instead of what was asked of him. He could have punished her, taken her to court, gotten even, shamed and humiliated her. Instead he ushered in a new definition of righteousness and nurtured to maturity a new definition of compassion and justice. He could have chosen a different role in the drama unfolding this week. It would have been a role of honor and respectability, security and safety.
Instead, he chose to embrace a role defined by fear and uncertainty, danger and discomfort, newness and change. With a cast of characters that includes Archangels and a murderous king, he claims a bit part in the drama of salvation always knowing that the lead role belongs to someone else, and remembering that at best he is just a supporting actor in this drama. His name is Joseph, and every three years we tell his story. Parents among us would do well to introduce their children to this man. He towers above every other hero this world can produce. First among men and first among fathers, he is role model our children would do well to know. He is no celebrity. He will not show up on the cover of People magazine. He will not be chased around by paparazzi, nor be the subject of comments on Entertainment television.
He stands alone in our tradition as a man of faith, of trust, and commitment. He made a promise and he kept it even though for a brief frightening moment it looked as though he was the only promise keeper. He reminds us today that we are called to listen to the promise of angels, not the promise of power or prestige in this world. He reminds us today that we are called to nurture forgiveness and compassion, not obsess over our rights and privilege. He reminds us today that we are called to a creative love that knows no boundaries; a love that allows us to embrace the outcast and forgotten more than clutch the accepted and desirable.
So, we gather here at the end of this Advent with the hope of Isaiah, the trust of Mary, the passion of John the Baptist, and the courage of Joseph. These are the virtues of those who passed these days in readiness. The shattered hopes of John the Baptist are no less than the shattered dreams of Joseph the Carpenter. Yet both are spirit filled and listen and follow the Word of God.
Wake up! is the message Joseph keeps hearing not because he was sleeping and lazy; but because he needed to wake up to what was going on around him. He did wake up, again and again in the midst of more than one confusing and doubtful moments. He woke up to the power of the Holy Spirit, and the strength of his faith. Hours before we celebrate the coming of God in Human flesh, we would also do well to wake up. Wake up and look around at what is going on, not find fear in it, but find the presence of God and see the divine dimension which calls us to holiness, to courage, to forgiveness and compassion; which call us to stop demanding our rights all the time and look a bigger picture and live a bigger life.