Christmas III – Mother of God

Christmas III – Mary, the Mother of God 2016 – Cycle ABC Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm 67; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21

Women experience something unique from that of men. Each month they are reminded in blood and water of the possibility of life. Women’s experience of life is moist and closer to the soil of the earth. This possibility and reality of life is at the root of the image of “mother and child” being so embedded in our church and culture. There is not a Catholic, Orthodox or Anglican Church that does not have an image of Mary and Jesus; Virgin-Mother and Child. The pregnant image of Our Lady of Guadalupe permeates the entire Western Hemisphere.

And though many men are good fathers offering a quiet strength and presence; what they do for their children and who they are in the lives of their children is often unseen and silent – very much like Saint Joseph. Do you not find it interesting that the culture and society, or even our Church never speaks of “father and child”?

In the tradition, Joseph is seldom portrayed with Jesus. Is it because he is not the real father, just a caretaker father, a foster – father? I suppose it is difficult to compete with the image of God as father. But doesn’t Joseph take on all the responsibilities without getting much of the credit. I wonder why this is. Why is this male dimension of birthing omitted from our consciousness?

• Did not Joseph have to say “yes” to the angel who appeared to him in a dream with no less conviction than Mary did in responding to Gabriel? [Matthew 1: 20, 24-25]

• Like his wife, like all parents, did not Joseph wonder and reflect about who this child was and what Jesus would be?

• As Joseph taught Jesus to be a manual laborer, did he not look over at him at times and shiver with fear as to what might happen to someone who was, “to save his people from their sins”? [Matthew 1:21] How was Joseph to protect his son from harm? Could he?

• Just because Joseph disappears from the record of the Gospels, does that mean he dies or is an absentee parent or simply a quiet unassuming  man?

• What was that last supper like between the three of them, Mary, Joseph and their son before he left their home and went into the desert?

• As one poet imagined, was Joseph looking from afar as his son was executed and dying while another Joseph – of Arimathea, held the dead body of his son – God’s son. Would not have Joseph become “the father of sorrows”, his heart breaking and grieving with no fewer tears as that of many fathers who see their children in pain and suffering? “To save his people from their sins” was a mighty burden that Joseph could not lift from Jesus.

It may seem curious that I speak of Joseph since today, the eighth day of Christmas, the Church celebrates Mary as Mater Dei, Mother of God. The Greek Church calls Mary, Theotokos, God – bearer. Now here is a difference and why I speak of Joseph and refer to all fathers. Only women are mothers but everyone is called to bear and bring forth God to the world.

Thus I want to ask, is birthing, just the nine months of pregnancy and the hours of intense labour and pushing in pain and blood – or is birthing a lifetime effort and experience – in blood for women, in sweat for men; in wondering and painful worry; in playing and teaching; in hoping and dreaming as we each bring forth God, Jesus Christ to our world.