Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. Matthew 1: 19 NRSV
I am still trying to figure out how to keep a pregnant unmarried woman out of public disgrace.
Although it seems to be more common today, there is still a lot of stigma associated with being unmarried and pregnant. It is good that we don't take these women out and stone them to death. Or even make them sew a large red "A" on all their clothes. But how much compassion do we really show them?
Joseph was trying to do the right thing. He wanted out of a situation in which he knew that was not a child of his. But he also knew that Mary could face a death sentence if the situation was not handled well.
Little did he know what kind of compassion God truly required of him.
God, sometimes we are more full of judgment than compassion. Help us, Lord, help us! In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims
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