DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS
Saint Matthew 2:13-23
(12/26-1/8)
The Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos
Learning from Joseph the Betrothed: Saint Matthew
2:13-23, especially vs. 13: “...an
angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, ‘Arise, take the
young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you
word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.’” Joseph,
‘the Betrothed of the Theotokos,’ saw
amazing wonders: “...the mystical vine...sprouted with the untilled
Cluster and Mary proclaiming...” Christ is “...the unchanging Word become flesh...and all creation danceth
for joy....”
Joseph, advanced in years, a man of utmost propriety, submitted
humbly to the fulfillment of the prophecies of the sages of God’s
People. From his example, may we
learn the blessings of struggling for purity, obeying God, and defending the sacred. In so
doing, may we joyfully seek the intercession of the holy Saint Joseph that
Christ may renew us in soul and body.
The Holy Fathers strongly warn us against trusting dreams
because of their potential for deceit.
Still, Joseph is said to have labored all his life for spiritual
purity. Hence in three dreams, he
received revelations of events soon to take place. What of Saint John of Sinai’s
warning: “...he who believes in dreams is like a person running after his
own shadow and trying to catch it”? Ah, like Joseph, may we be worthy
only of true visions and unfailing obedience!
How was Joseph so resolute despite the danger of
dreams? Saint John of Sinai warns
that “Demons often transform themselves into angels of light.” Many others of the Holy Fathers agree
concerning the dangers of ‘prelest.’ It is Metropolitan Hierotheos
who illumines how Saint Joseph was pure: “The healing of the soul, nous,
and heart leads a person to the vision of God and makes him know the divine
life. This knowledge is man’s
salvation.” Of course, one
does not attain godly knowledge without struggle and purifying prayer. Clearly, Joseph became a man matured in
prayer. May God grant us to labor
so intensely that we may acquire true prayer.
Just as God knew a Maiden worthy to be the Birthgiver of God, so also He knew a man, purified by prayer,
to serve as the righteous Protector of the Virgin and Child. Attend! Without years of struggle through prayer
for purity, we have little reason to trust any dream as a revelation given by a
vision even if it appears to be given by an angel. For our part, we should labor for purity
of heart, continue our struggle in prayer and the ascesis
of self examination, still the passions steadily, and seek to acquire every
virtue, knowing that only the pure in heart shall see God (Mt. 5:8).
What we are saying in these illustrations draws from the
traditional Orthodox understanding that Joseph was already advanced in years
when he was called to be the Betrothed and Protector of the Virgin. He had long schooled himself to obey the
word of the Lord without hesitation.
Thus, he considered the thought of “...putting Mary away
secretly...” with compassion, and when the angel revealed the plan of
God, he immediately “...did as the angel of the Lord commanded
him...” (Mt. 1:19-24). In
addition, he continued obediently thereafter. His life and actions teach us to labor
in the things of God, and to cast aside desires-in-the-flesh and passions so that we too may obey
the clear word of God in all things.
Finally, Joseph’s life is a striking example of
‘doing whatever it takes’ to protect that which is sacred. He assumed an inestimable responsibility
as the Betrothed, taking up his God-given task of guarding the “...pearl
of great price...” (see Mt. 13:46)
reverently. Modern society cares
little for sacred things or persons, but Saint Joseph calls upon us to correct
whatever within ourselves is indifferent, disrespectful, or frivolous toward
Holy things or persons. Let us
begin!
Give us grace, O Christ, to adore Thy Holy Nativity in
Bethlehem as befitteth God, singing praises thereto
with the angels, the pious Joseph, the Magi, and the shepherds.
Return to the December Calendar