A great Love Story

Today we were told once again, in our homily at church that Mary was found with child before Joseph and Mary came together, being pregnant with child by the Holy Spirit. We can only guess that Mary, who was betrothed to Joseph, knew that only he say the word and she could have been stoned to death. The scriptures say that Joseph was a just man, unwilling to shame Mary. His resolve, was a quiet divorce.

Next, the intervention from heaven. An angel appeared to him in a dream. Obeying the angel, Joseph took Mary for his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus. This is the natural order of the family given clearly by the Lord. One man, woman and child.

This was a holy family. When I was a young mom, some of my work associates, who were protestant said that Jesus had brother's and sister's according to their misinterpretations of the bible, through Mary. Then in order to "prove" that they were correct in their analysis that she had other children by Joseph, they would use the passage but knew her not until she had born a son. That passage has only one meaning, that Mary did not have sex with Joseph, yet was pregnant before the wedding. Many references "confirm her" as ever Virgin Mother of God. That is what the Orthodox Church teaches.

I believe that the misinterpretation begins with the "Christmas Card image of Mary, Jesus and the Young Joseph. Joseph was in reality, the aged Joseph. This is not the dark-haired romanticised love story of today. Love takes on a new meaning here. This arrangement was according to honor and a promise to care for one's bride. Joseph loved Mary, he didn't want to shame her.

It is a love story that has nothing to do with age or sex. I remember reading when Angel Gabriel looked upon Mary, her beauty rendered him speechless. I can imagine that Joseph found her equally as beautiful. It is often said that a woman is the most beautiful when she is pregnant, her eyes shine and she glows. She is in a vulnerable state which makes her husband even more protective of her. Joseph did protect her and her son, Jesus.

She had to admire and look up to him, she may have had appreciation for his wisdom, and his strength in taking care of her, as she was just a child herself. Having a baby is a difficult time physically for any mother. But especially for Mary, travelling on the back of a donkey. I can imagine that through their conversations on that long journey they became close. Joseph was Jesus' step-father. Since he was with him from birth, he knew no other father on earth and he raised him well.

Love is not what television, or Hollywood says it is. It is a mystery. So deep, so beautiful, so undeniable, such a great gift. The gift that makes life worth living. And fills you with joy. Love is all you can take with you on the other side, it is eternal. And it is all that you'll ever need or want. A free gift, and all you need to do is accept. (1John4:9:)He who does not love does not know God.

(1John4:3) and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God.