December 18 & 19, 2010+ JMJ +
4th Sunday of Advent, Year A
The Living Prophecy
This is the final week for prophecies about the Messiah. Next weekend we will welcome the reality at last. We will see the end and fulfillment of all prophecies for a savior, for God-become-man, for the true king in David’s line. Isaiah’s prophecy of Emmanuel, born from a virgin, is the greatest and most straightforward of all the prophecies, the sign given by God himself when a man, Ahaz, was unsure for what sign he should ask.
Another straightforward prophecy about the Messiah is given to us in the Gospel—a prophecy about what kind of savior this Jesus will be. This prophecy is usually hiding in plain sight. The sign of who Jesus will be is so clear that many Christians glance right over it. The prophecy, the sign, is St. Joseph himself.
In the actions of St. Joseph we see what kind of savior his adopted son will be. When St. Joseph discovers Mary’s pregnancy, he has the legal right to bring down shame and even the death penalty on her for supposed adultery. Instead, St. Joseph interprets the Law of God mercifully and seeks only a quiet dissolution of the marriage. For all he knows, Mary is a sinner, but he still acts with mercy toward her. He will teach this approach to his adopted son Jesus, who will also interpret the Law of God mercifully on behalf of sinners.
Second, St. Joseph is obedient in his actions. When the angel reveals an un-heard of miracle to him—that Mary’s child is from God—St. Joseph does not question but at once places his trust in Mary and takes her under his protection, loving Jesus and caring for him as his own son. Obeying God’s will even once in such a strange and miraculous situation is admirable enough. St. Joseph obeys the messages of angels three more times, when he is told to take his family to Egypt, later to return after Herod’s death, and finally to move up to Galilee. St. Joseph will teach Jesus the same caliber of obedience, so that Jesus is able to obey God the Father’s will even to accepting his own death on a cross.
Scripture tells us little more about St. Joseph, but we can guess what he was like based on the kind of man Jesus became: strong, courageous, bold, kind, hardworking, and prayerful. St. Joseph served as a living prophecy and sign of Jesus the Messiah. In his own life he showed who and what Jesus would be and do.
This is a privilege granted to all parents: to be prophecies for their children. We know how very young children will imitate everything we say and do. I remember a friend’s neighbor working in his yard with hedge clippers and a mower. Right alongside him was his little son working with his own toy clippers and lawnmower just like his dad. So many of our actions are predictions of our children’s future actions. Since we are far from perfect, this can scare us sometimes. Children will follow our bad example too. But it can also encourage us to become better people, to strive for perfection.
We have one final week before Christmas to grow in perfection. Think of that one bad example or those unkind words that you say in front of your children. That goes for older brothers and sisters too and for anyone with younger people watching your example: at work, on the team, in class. Really take steps this week to end any bad example you give. On the other hand, think of the good example you give to younger people: a positive attitude, prayers, helpfulness, good work ethic, or good morals. Like St. Joseph, make sure you are giving this example consistently to the young. Remember, you are a living prophecy and sign for the future of our children.
Rev. Eric Culler