.
“He had made up his mind
to do this
when the angel of the Lord
appeared to him in a dream
and said…”
We probably have to admit that Joseph was being reasonable when, after finding out that his betrothed was with child, he made up his mind to leave her.
But when the messenger from God arrived Joseph changed his mind.
There is a welcome maturity and freedom in realising that just because something is real in my mind it is not necessarily a reality in reality.
And the next step comes in knowing that even if something is a reality in reality, it does not have to be the single influence in my mind.
And it is a wise and free person who is prepared to hold decisions lightly, and change their mind whenever necessary.
No doubt Joseph knew that (even if he hadn’t consulted them) his friends and family would support his decision to leave Mary.
His discretion in not sharing the news with anyone and everyone gave him a great freedom to gently and peacefully discern the difference between his first reaction (he had made up his mind to leave Mary) and this ultimate better decision (he took Mary to his home).
A retreat I was a part of a few years ago focussed on the difference between being a reactive presence and an original presence.
You will have already guessed the difference.
Most people exist as a reactive presence, even unconsciously basing their own views or decisions on what others think. If someone we like or respect holds one view then we’re likely to join them. If a point is promoted by someone we don’ t like or respect then, even if we do agree with them, we are most likely to at least keep silent.
The situation is made more difficult when we are surrounded by the noise of opinions.
The uniqueness of my own mind with it’s original perspective and freedom hardly stands a chance it seems.
Happy the one who knows their own mind and who lives in intimacy with the creator is being guided to an abundance far beyond the all too common existence of exhausting reactivity.
It was the newly canonised Carlo Acutis who commented that we are all born as originals, but die as photocopies.
That’s a great maxim,
Here’s to living in relationship with Jesus as an original presence.
Listen to today’s Homily Studio at this link.
“We are born originals but die as photocopies” Blessed Carlo Agutis. A great reminder to always take a pause and pray in everything we say and do. The Lord, will surely guide us in a right path.
Have a wonderful Sunday!!!
I love this message Father John, and have shared it with several friends. The challenge to be original – true to ourselves – but in submission to the God who has the big picture, is one I needed today. Thank you.
This raises an interesting question: if our 15 or 16-year-old daughters came home and said Mum.Dad, I’m preganant. What is our reaction? Do we send her off to a home run by the church for unmarried mothers because of the shame it would bring on the family, as was very common, or accept the daughter with love into the family and give all the support we can? Like Joseph, Mary’s parents would have had to make these decisions, just as we do.