Breaking the Word

Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah. Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means "God is with us." When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.  (Mt 1:16,18-24)

Joseph was a righteous man. This could mean that he was a person who followed the laws in sincerity of heart. This could also mean that he was an innocent man, faultless and guiltless man. This was also revealed in not putting others into difficulty. He was not willing to put others to shame. He was true to God in observing the laws; he was true himself in being innocent; he was true to others in not putting others to shame. This is the reason that he is called a just man.

God revealed himself to Joseph in a dream. God related himself with just man. God’s relationship was in revealing His plans to just man. God reveals himself also through just man. God chooses people like Joseph to reveal his plans. Even dreams are means of revelations. Many a time, we do not consider dreams as God’s means of revelation.

Relationship with God and God’s revelation are always for greater things. In the case of Joseph, God revealed that Jesus was to be born. He was to be born but always in a special relationship with the one who has the revelations from God. It is in this that even the relationship builds up. Relationship will always reveal that “God is with us”. Greater things will happen for man who is just: a man of relationship with God and others, and a man of revelation.        

I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. "You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, 'You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.' But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, 'Raqa,' will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny. (Mt 5:20-26)

The Israelites lived with the idea of judgment. Whatever evil done would be judged by God and the consequence was expected. The righteousness of the Pharisees and the scribes was based on this partly. They were extra conscious of this and hence they were even worried about the words they used. Murder was one of the evils for which they were punished for. Life belonged to God and hence no one had the right to take away the life.

Jesus goes further deeper into the situation and told his listeners not even to get angry with the other. It is this that will slowly lead one to murdering the other. It is not the action which is alone makes one liable to judgment but also the attitude that one has against the other. One should be positive about life and his attitude should be in no way to hurt the other.

There will arise situations in which one is forced to be angry with the other or seeking judgement against the other. In such situations forgiveness should be the guiding force and not judgment. Forgiveness and settlement of the situation before going to the court is far greater than even sacrifice. This is not to belittle sacrifice or rituals but rather relationship, forgiveness are of greater importance.