The Advent of Non-violence

I have been studying non-violence issues with a faith sharing group. So the other night I got to thinking about whether there were any instances of non-violence that I could point to in this season of anticipation and prepartion. I thought of the part of the Advent story that personifies gender power issues: Joseph’s discovery that Mary is pregnant (not by him) and his determination that Mary not be put to death, despite his own disappointment and anguish.

In first century Palestine, and throughout the Roman Empire, women were not seen as equal citizens to men. In fact, women were considered the property of their fathers/family until married, at which time they became the property of their husbands.

Mary and her fate existed  in a gray area: betrothed to Joseph, if she was pregnant by him, there would be no scandal, at least not much. But to be pregnant other than by her betrothed, would have made Mary an Adulteress under the Law. The penalty for adultery, at least for women, was death by stoning.

Joseph would have been within his rights as a man to hand Mary over to be stoned for her perceived transgression, but he loves her and does not want her harmed. While his pride tells him that he cannot make a life with this woman, he tries to find a way out from under the letter of the law, a third, nonviolent way of resolving this conflict.

Of course, an angel comes to Joseph in a dream, and reassures him that Mary’s condition is not the result of unfaithfulness, but rather of the ultimate faithful act: her agreement that she would carry the child of God, Jesus, and bring him into the world.

The story of Jesus’ conception and birth reveal that both of the earliest teachers of Jesus were loving, compassionate people who believed in human dignity, who believed that mercy trumped power.

Mary’s Magnificat and Joseph’s dream become springboards for the Sermon on the Mount, for the Beatitudes, for Jesus’ embrace of all people, regardless of status, rank, or scandalous associations. O come let us embrace this Holy little family as they once again seek shelter in our hearts. Let’s make room for them, and for all they come to teach us, and for the gift they bring to share: peace on earth, good will toward all.