Again, the book of Marjorie Holmes, TWO FROM GALILEE, helps to tell us a story of the human parents of Jesus, those called Mary and Joseph. Our story finds Mary and her mother, Hannah, washing clothes:
Mary and her mother, had washed their week's garments outside, laying the washed and rinsed garments out to dry in the hot sun. Mary was troubled. Her baby had begun to show in small signs of pregnancy and Mary knew it was time to explain. How was she to begin?
When they began to wash the cloths from their monthly bleeding, Hannah noticed the discrepancy in the number of cloths, and said, "Many girls go through skipping now and then. "We'll brew some herbs and you will be right in no-time." But Mary knew she must tell her mother all of it. "Mother", she said, "you didn't listen. I am not ill. It was not Joseph or another man, but I am pregnant. Mother, I am pregnant with the Holy One. Mother, please believe me!"
Hannah responded with a sour look, "I don't believe it." And she ran to the fields to get Joachim, Mary's father. After explaining the circumstance that Mary had given her to Joachim, Joachim began running toward the house with Hannah following. He stopped to say to Hannah, "It's lack of faith that troubles you! Do you not remember the words of the prophets--a Messiah will come! and when did Israel need a prophet more! And another thing--Mary does not lie!" And on he ran up the path.
Mary had finished the washing, and looked so young to her father, fresh-faced and lovely. Perhaps, it was not entirely true, Joachim thought, "All is well with my daughter."
Joachim slowed upon reaching her and began rapidly to say, "Mary, Mary. What is this your mother tells me?" But, Mary knew what she was asking him to believe was near impossible.
She reassured her father saying, "It is the prophesy. I can hardly believe it myself, but I have been chosen. Faulty, weak, maybe even wicked--the Lord has chosen me!"
Joachim tried once again to make an excuse for her, "Perhaps it was a dream. If it is true, how can we tell if it is true? Mary answered, "If it is true, Father! If God has deemed the time has come? Father God's own angel came to tell me."
She continued, "And I felt the Holy One invade my...being. How? I do not know, only that I felt indescribable...happiness! Mary's heart broke and tears began to run down her cheeks.
She regained her composure just a bit and finally able to speak, said, "My body has begun to change. There are signs, human signs. I told Mother what those signs are and she agrees....I am to bear a child!"
"Have you told Joseph?" Joachim asked.
"I cannot think how to tell him. Whenever I think of Joseph--my heart starts to die!"
And Joachim took her hand, "He loves you," he said, "surely you must tell him tonight! And we must think how best to handle this!" Then he added as he touched her cheek, "Like Joseph, I love you and without faith, love would not last.!" (End of story today)
Yes, it is true. Without faith, love does not last. This story teaches us that, as well as showing what it is like for families who find that God has blessed them with blessings which start out as problems needing to be solved. Have faith in the love that has been given, and the faith will see you through.
We're all in this together, just as the families of Mary and Joseph--
Jo INMN
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