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December 17, 2021
“Toxic masculinity” is something of a buzzword nowadays referring to cultural norms for masculinity that harm society and men themselves. Whether one ascribes to the rather loaded assumptions behind this term or simply sees the described behavior as the result of sin, it is interesting to look at three of the couples mentioned in today’s genealogy where, in each case, the man held the life or death of the woman in his power. In the first instance, Judah, in a story so bizarre and baffling to modern sensibilities (and undoubtedly carrying a shock value even in its own day) condemns his daughter-in-law to death for reportedly engaging in an activity of which he himself was guilty. (His hypocrisy here does not seem lost on the biblical writer or, at least, the irony of the situation.) Only when Tamar produces evidence that he is the father of the twins she is bearing does he acknowledge his injustice towards her in withholding his youngest son from her in marriage to raise up issue for his deceased eldest son. Next, there is David, who basically forcefully takes the wife of another man, whom he then has murdered when other efforts to cover his tracks fail. Whether Bathsheba, whom Matthew does not even name, was complicit in the adultery or not, she and David were by no means equals. She was his subject, and he certainly proved willing to kill those who did not give him what he wanted. Finally, there is Joseph and Mary. He too, presumably, could have caused her death or at least her exposure to public shame. Yet, this is not the path he chose. Love and concern for Mary dictated his actions. And a good thing it did, for if he had insisted on what appeared to be his violated rights, he would have committed a grave injustice and exposed an innocent person to harm. The beautiful “O Antiphon” today speaks of Wisdom “guiding creation with power and love”. Power we certainly need, but without love, it becomes domination and oppression. Without concern for the other, there can be no justice.
Today’s readings can teach us many lessons. One is that Jesus was born of a human family and culture filled with saints and sinners and less than ideal relationships. These saints and sinners are not separate people. We are all a mixture of both. Yet it is in this human messiness and imperfection that God’s saving work is carried out. This is important to remember as our families and communities spend extra time together during the Christmas Season and we strive to love in a way that will allow justice and peace to flourish.
