“Husbands, love your wives...” Ephesians 5:25
Good evening Lord.
One month after our wedding, the people of Nazareth are still talking about the celebration. Today, on my way to the shop, I stopped at my father’s house. My sister Salome and my sister-in-law Mary were reminiscing about the banquet, about all the wine they drank, about the dancing, and about how much fun they had. I, on the other hand, all I can remember is the noise: the noise of the clinking of the wine glasses, the noise of the music, the noise of laughter... All I wanted was to go home with Mary, but I knew that the people needed the celebration. And celebrate they did.
After everyone left, and we were finally alone, I could tell that Mary was very nervous. Under normal circumstances, that would be the night when we would consummate our love. But nothing was normal about our relationship. After all, Mary was already expecting a child, and yet, she was a virgin. Her body belonged to the Creator through the vow she had made. I understood this, and thus, I reassured her. I renounced ownership of her flesh, and yet found more in the spirit, as the foster father of Our Lord. We decided that it would be best if we slept in separate rooms. This decision seemed to have a calming effect in Mary. The flame of our love was not meant to scorch the flesh, but to solidify our lives.
Our life together felt into rhythm as if we had been dancing forever. We would both wake up at the crack of down, sometimes even earlier. While Mary baked the bread and prepared the breakfast, I would go to feed our faithful donkey. I would also take out water from the well. This was something that Mary used to do every day, but now that she is on her sixth month, I took on that responsibility because I do not want her to exert herself.
Every day, except on the Sabbath, I go to my carpentry shop. I am working on a wooden cradle for our Son, among all the other orders that I have to fulfill. While I work, Mary takes care of the household chores: cleaning the house, washing the clothing in the river, going to town to buy or trade what we need, maintaining our vegetable garden... and many other daily duties that keep her days occupied.
At night, after supper, we read the Scriptures together. This time of prayer has united us more and more. And just like that, as the trees began to lose their leaves, we celebrated our first month anniversary.
Reflection:
By marrying Mary, Joseph expresses his own “let it be done to me according to your word.” He is referring to God’s Word. The Word uttered in absolute love and truth. Am I ready to hear God’s Word? Am I prepared for the path that God has chosen for me?
Copyright © 2024 Christy Romero. All rights reserved.
Resources from the following books are being used on this journey:
- The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Live of the Virgin Mother of God by Venerable Mary of Agreda
- Consecration to St. Joseph by Fr. Donald H. Calloway
- Las Palabras Calladas: Diario de Maria de Nazaret by Pedro Miguel Lamet
All Bible references are from the New American Revised Edition Bible (NAREB) unless otherwise specified.
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