For nine months the graces of Jesus unfolded within the womb of our Holy Mother. For nine months St. Joseph patiently awaited the birth of Christ. While Advent is a time for all the saints, today in particular as we prepare for this year's celebration of our Lord's birth, we can learn from the great trust that St. Joseph lived out as Mary was found with child.
The angel said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." (Mt 1 :20-21) One can imagine what questions must have filled St. Joseph's mind: Why me Lord? How can I do this? Surely someone else Lord is better suited? And yet he trusted.
And later, "Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem . . . there was no room for them in the inn." (Lk 2: 4, 7) Tired from their journey they arrive in Bethlehem only to find out that there is no room for them, how easily it would have been to walk away, to give up in the midst of such trials. And yet he trusted.
The joy that must have filled St. Joseph's eyes when he saw his son for the first time, we too are called to that same joy. I remember the same joy in my own father's eyes every time one of his children did well. Let this advent season be a reminder to us all to trust as St. Joseph did, and may Christmas bring us the same joy it brought him.
2 comments:
Nick, what a great reflection. I love the line, "and he trusted" - Yes, in the midst of it all, Joseph was steadfast in trust. Thanks! May he intercede for us all on our winding journeys. Teresa
Nick, thanks for your reflection. We have always thought of Mary as trusting, but at least for part of the journey perhaps Joseph had to trust even more than she did because the angel appeared directly to Mary and to Joseph only in dreams
Joan Kash
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