Walking with the Holy Family

Christmas eve is already upon us. It is our final day of anticipation prayers with the St. Andrew’s novena.  Perhaps the day in which we most closely walk with the Holy Family.

Esteemed 18^th century spiritual director Fr. Jean Grou helps us to consider the situation that Mary and Joseph find themselves in. He applies Church teachings to the reality of God becoming man:

“EVERY circumstance connected with the life of Jesus Christ had been arranged in the eternal counsels of the adorable Trinity ; every event of his human career had been pre-ordained by Christ himself, and disposed with deference to the one great and only object of his incarnation, the glory of the Godhead and the salvation of the human race. Uncontrolled master of his destiny, he alone of all the children of men selected his condition in life, and chose the parents from whom he was to derive his being.” (from The Interior of Jesus and Mary, p. 50-56)

Jesus chose His parents and the circumstances of His birth.

In Jewish tradition, a person’s tribe (and their inheritance) is traced through their paternal line but their ‘Jewishness’, being a full Jew spiritually beyond just ethnicity, requires one’s mother to be Jewish. This is prescribed in Deuteronomy 7:4 and has been in effect since “the Jewish people came into existence”. This differentiation becomes important in situations of adoption.

When Joseph became betrothed to Mary, they were considered formally married although they were not permitted to consummate their marriage until its second stage, the nisu’in. Mary’s parents, Joachim and Ann, had no sons. Upon marriage, Joseph  became their son. More than a legal responsibility, in ancient Jewish culture this was the same as being a biological son.

So too was it for adopted sons. Thus, although Joseph knew the Holy Spirit was the Father of Mary’s child, Joseph had obeyed God and taken the child in as his own. Jesus was Joseph’s adopted child and spiritually the same as if a biological son. In our modern western culture, this can be difficult to grasp as we see things black-and-white, either X or Y. We often need our paradigm shifted to see that ‘both-and’ are possible to exist simultaneously. But in ancient times, no paradigm shift was needed. To Joseph, Jesus was both Son of the Father and son of Joseph.

In scripture, Joseph’s readiness to obey God and his care for Mary demonstrate he was a righteous man whose knowledge of God’s laws was lived out in love. Take a few moments to imagine what might have gone through his mind when the angel first announced the truth of Mary’s conception. Then consider what the nine months of pregnancy were like for him, particularly the first three months when Mary was away at her cousin Elizabeth’s home. Always in the presence of Jesus, God Himself, Joseph would have grown in awe of God and matured spirituality as he watched the teachings of the prophets and other sacred script come to life before his eyes.

And now he had to take the trek to the village of his forefather David. It is reported to be a small village, yet there would be a large extended family of David’s line to report there. Did Joseph wonder if he could find housing? What supplies were he and Mary able to bring with them? We cannot know these answers, but these and other questions help us understand his situation.

“This is not the work of a clay ; nor will our efforts ever be crowned with perfect success, unless trials and afflictions complete what grace and reflection have begun.” (Fr. Grou)

Mary is held up as the highest of human creatures, the saintliest saint above all. Joseph too is second only to Mary alone. And yet they are unable to find suitable housing despite Mary’s noticeable condition. An unreflecting mind might dispute scripture saying, “why would God permit not only Himself to be rejected but especially His mother in her condition?”  Mary full of grace and Joseph growing in it, both would mature spiritually in their vocation given to them by their Son, who was their God. And some bonds of love and maturation of spirit can only occur in suffering. It completes what grace has begun.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us;

upon his shoulder dominion rests.

They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,

Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.

His dominion is vast

and forever peaceful,

Upon David’s throne, and over his kingdom,

which he confirms and sustains

By judgment and justice,

both now and forever. Amen.

(Isaiah 9:5-6)

Merry Christmas 😊

(Image by Simon deVos public domain via Wikimedia Commons)