Strong and Obedient Joseph

 

 Matthew 1: 18-24

Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son

¹⁸ This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

²⁰ But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

²² All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ²³ “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

²⁴ When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.

Today, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, we look at Joseph's dilemma and his obedience to what must have seemed the most far-fetched plan God could ever conjure up.  Yes, he trusted, was obedient, took Mary as his wife,  and accepted his role as the foster father of the Messiah. Would I have had such courage, such compliance?  Do I have it even now when I am faced with what seems like the impossible?  Although the strong, silent Joseph is often in the background, his example of fidelity to God's plan shouts loudly to us 2000 years later when we, with all our sophistication and technological advances, become more and more estranged from our Maker. May we reflect more and more on this Quiet Man and strive to imitate him,  during this last full week of Advent as we prepare for Christmas next Sunday.

Bro. Rene

Almighty God, in your Son we are given new hope, that through him all divisions can be healed, all sins forgiven, and trust restored. Watch over us and those we love, that we may always be a sign of your reconciling love in a world full of hurt and betrayal. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 Rev. Robert Loughery, C.S.C.