In His Days Justice and Peace Shall Reign (December 18)

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About the Messiah, Jeremiah also prophesied, “Behold the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a RIGHTEOUS BRANCH, and He shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute JUSTICE and RIGHTEOUSNESS in the land. And this is the name by which He will be called: 'The Lord is our RIGHTEOUSNESS' ” (cf. Jer. 23:5-8). About the same Messiah, the Psalmist sang, “In his days shall JUSTICE flourish, and great PEACE forever” (Psa. 72:7).


Many many years ago, that Messiah came in time as the son of Joseph born in Bethlehem. And those who prepared for his coming in the flesh also prepared to be ambassadors of righteousness, justice and peace. A good example of such people is Joseph the husband of Mary, the foster father of the Messiah (cf. Matt. 1:18-24). The Bible describes him as a “JUST MAN”; in some translations of the Bible, he is described as a “righteous man”.


As a Jew, Joseph had the right to follow the provisions of the Jewish law in response to Mary’s pregnancy which thitherto he knew nothing about. The culture and the law of the land empowered him to expose Mary so that she would be stoned to death for having got pregnant without his knowledge. Even before he was visited by the angel, Joseph being a JUST MAN (a man of peace, justice and righteousness)and UNWILLING TO PUT MARY TO SHAME, decided to send her away peacefully. He never thought of toeing the path of the Jewish law and custom. He chose PEACE for Mary instead of VIOLENCE upon her; he chose LIFE for her instead of DEATH; he chose to leave matters in the hands of God instead of leaving it in the hands of people. He was a righteous man: a man who truly prepared himself for the days of the Messiah when righteousness, justice and peace would reign.


St Joseph is a great icon of peace, justice and righteousness. In a more concrete term, his life teaches us what it means to prepare for the coming of the Righteous One in whose days righteousness, peace and justice would reign (cf. Jer. 23:5-8; Psa. 72:7). To Joseph, it was very clear that God’s understanding of justice is sometimes  completely at variance with what people perceive as justice. And that is why he decided to send Mary away quietly and later accepted to keep her as his wife. Joseph did not take a rash decision about Mary; he delayed judgment, assessed the situation properly and allowed God to speak to his conscience.


What do we learn from Joe? Sometimes our cultures, the laws of our land and even family members and friends may push us to take certain decisions that we may later regret. Let Joseph always be our reference point! When conscience conflicts with cultural, peer or family demands, it is always advisable listen to the voice of conscience, to that voice of God within us just as Joseph did! As we prepare ourselves for that day, do we also prepare to be part of the Messianic project of enthroning righteousness, justice and peace?


Just like St Joseph, may we never hesitate to work for peace when the occasion presents itself, Amen!


Have a peaceful day!



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