The festival for the Feast of the First Fruits had begun, but Mary did not see Joseph. Her father, Joachim, had found Elizabeth's house and Mary upon the roof. Joachim was alone. And here we continue with the synopsis of M. Holmes, TWO FROM GALILEE. Mary was disappointed to not see Joseph, but tried to make her father welcome. Joachim, too uncomfortable in the grand house, and the changes in his daughter and his sister-in-law that he left with as much grace as he could. but as he was leaving, Mary asked, "Did Joseph come?" Ashamed, Joachim lied and said, "No, but he sent his greetings, " and left quickly.
"To work, to keep building, that's the important thing," Joseph thought, "otherwise hope will die." He plunged doggedly up the path to his unfinished house. "How had this house ever seemed beautiful?" he thought, looking at the dull stone walls. He shook his head, "No. the thing is to work--mix the coarse-gray mortar. Fit the rocks. And it needed-essentially-a roof! Perhaps, then, Nazareth's people will shut their mouths! He--and his family--were worn out with talk--much-- talk! At first, because Mary, his betrothed, had left when their marriage plans were to be made. He had to lie about when she was coming back! "Oh, soon, any day now," he would say.
He had planned to go to the Feast of First Fruits to see Mary, but his father had become ill with drink. Their wineskins were gone, and bloated and breathless, his father could not go for more. Timna, his mother, had begged Joseph to stay. "You're the only one who can handle him," she said.
He had wanted to send Mary a message, but he had no money for parchment needed to send a private message. Maybe Joachim "would bring Mary home," or surely, she would write him, if she didn't come. But, once again, he was bitterly reminded of Mary saying-I am with child. No. No! The perspiration stood out on his face, proving he lived in agony.
Plus, his parents had become angry. Not only with Mary for leaving, but because their son would not stand up for his rights with Mary's parents. "Isn't this bargain to be fulfilled?' they would ask him,"Your father has been hurt. I have been humbled. Let it be known you are going to do something about this misuse of your marriage contract! It may seem harsh, but sometimes there is no other way when there is a just cause!"
But, I have no such cause!" he shouted. And then he took his mother in his arms, tenderly."Please, don't worry. I'm sorry if I failed or caused you grief. Surely, God will send Mary back to me, for us to be married."
He determined, also, to speak to Joachim, and found him, unexpectedly, at his own doorway. Joseph spoke, "In the name of pity, tell me--how is she and when is she coming back to us?" Joachim felt both dread and bitterness, for he blamed Joseph for the pregnancy, forgetting Mary's experience with God, but remembering his own impatient youth. "To answer your question about Mary, Joseph, she is well, considering she is several months with child."
Joseph felt the hurt all over again, and yet determined not to show his hurt. Joachim gazed steadily at Joseph, demanding, "Joseph, tell me what you know of this. Have you brought us dishonor?"
No matter what was said, Joseph thought, if he denied involvement, he would hurt Mary. If he agreed, he would hurt his family, even more. Finally, Joseph said "So long as I live no harm shall come to Mary--no matter what other people may say!" And Joachim knew then that he had been right in trusting that Joseph was the right man for Mary.
Neither Joachim nor Timna, both urging Joseph to stand his ground, could conceive there was value greater than honor--a man's love. However forsaken, bereaved, or humiliated, a man's hopelessly abiding love would prove to be best, always. He wanted her back.
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