Matthew 1:18-25
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. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Although we never read a word spoken by Joseph, his obedience to the plan of God speaks volumes. While trying to be faithful to the Law, he accepts the call to go beyond it and marry the woman who is with child, having been told in a dream that the child is from the Holy Spirit. Even that is a leap of faith; for Jews firmly believed in ONE God. Who is this Holy Spirit? He marries her, give the name Jesus to the child, and raises him as his own. His silent strength, his faithful obedience shout to us to follow suit. There re many things we are asked to do that we don't understand, but following the example of Joseph, we find that like him, we too can be faithful, obedient followers.
Bro. Rene
St. Joseph, help me to accept God's plan in my life even thought it seems impossible to me at the moment. Amen..
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