Obedience and blindness

Mass Reading

22 December 2019

“…the obedience of faith…”

--Romans 1:5

I am still thinking about the Mass readings (Isaiah, Romans & Matthew) from last Sunday (Dec 22) the last Sunday before Christmas. Something about these readings, has lingered with me these past few days, haunted this beginning of the Christmas season. Arising from these three distinct strands, is a harmony of meaning that feels best expressed by Paul’s phrase:  the obedience of faith, from the beginning of his Letter to the Romans. In our contemporary culture, obedience is often seen in a negative light. Too often, it is linked with the word “blind” (as in blind obedience or blind faith), to imply an irrational belief or behavior, even a blindness to common sense. But what if the obedience of faith isn’t about “blindness,” but about having our eyes opened? What if the obedience of faith is a way to open our eyes to the wonders of grace? The possibility of miracles happening, even today, even to us, even in our everyday lives?

The first reading was from Isaiah 7:10-14. It was the story of King Ahaz being offered a sign from God, anything he asks for, “…whether from the depths of Sheol or the heights of Heaven…” But Ahaz refuses the offer. In fact, he seems frightened by it. “I will not ask!  I will not tempt the Lord.” (7:12), he replies. Which isn’t a ridiculous response; on some level it seems quite appropriate.  In Deuteronomy 6:16, Israel is specifically warned against putting God to the test:  

“Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God…”

But obviously, that isn’t what is going on here. God is extending the offer, and Ahaz is avoiding it. He closes his eyes to the possibility of God actually speaking to him through the prophet. Instead of opening his eyes to the possibility, he hides behind the law.  He uses obedience to the Law, to protect himself. Through obedience to the Law, he protects himself from the inherent risk involved in obedience to God, the vulnerability of submitting himself fully to God.

In contrast, we have the Gospel reading (Matthew 1:18-24) telling us about Joseph, the righteous man, who turns away from the Law in order to obey God.  As opposed to Ahaz—the corrupt king who uses the law to his own benefit—Joseph is a man who observes the law with compassion.  We are told that when he finds out his new bride is already pregnant, he is “unwilling to expose her to shame,” and intends to “divorce her quietly;” (1:19) acting within the law, but not hiding behind it with righteous indignation, only following it with compassion for Mary and her situation, which –according to Deuteronomy 22:23—might have called for her to be stoned outside the city gates. And yet, when Joseph hears a command from heaven that seems crazy, seems to flaunt the Law, probably goes against everything he has been taught, he listens, and follows God’s command.  To the world around him, Joseph must look like a fool.  He is what the medievals would call a cuckold. But Joseph accepts that risk, that vulnerability, that public shame even, and instead of being obedient to the Law, is obedient to God (the author of the Law). Joseph's obedience is the obedience of faith, not fear. It is an obedience that fills the heart with joy, with hope, with courage; an obedience that opens our hearts, our minds, our souls, our eyes!! to possibilities beyond our imagining,

That is what I hear in these readings. A call to an obedience that opens our lives and the world to the possibility of miracles! It is an obedience that will be a sign to others, a witness to the world that “God is with us.” 

And the sign will be: an innocent baby lying in a manger, rejected by the world, yet offering Himself for our salvation.   

Believe, not with "blind faith" but with your eyes opened by faith; do not be blinded by fear. Instead, be brave. Be bold. Be kind. Be compassionate. Be generous.

Be obedient--with the obedience of faith.