Dear friends,
Happy Advent! Its the last Sunday, the last few days, that we have to greet each other in this way.
This Sunday's reading is a rare passage featuring St. Joseph, husband of Mary and earthly father of Jesus. In fact, we know even less of Joseph's role in Jesus's life that we do of Mary!
Joseph is most memorable for his desire to divorce Mary quietly – which he does not to hurt Mary, but to avoid shaming her for an apparent child conceived out of wedlock. The Lord sends an angel to explain and teach Joseph about what is going on. Joseph, realizing that this is in fact a fulfillment of God's promise, does as the angel of the Lord had commanded him.
How often have we been drawn towards something that appears good, only to find out that there was something else going on altogether, that our original goal though well intended was misguided?
How important is the discernment to the life of the Christian! What a blessing we have in St. Joseph – and how close he came to robbing his Savior of an earthly father (and us of his example)!
May we take stock of our blessings as we approach the Lord's birthday, and ask Him for the gift of wisdom, that we may take to heart Joseph's example and likewise fulfill our own vocation to be part of the family of God.
Peace,
Father Maurer