November 20, 2022
Gospel March 19, 2020 MT 1:16, 18-21, 24A
Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and 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.”
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.
How great a faith must you have to take a young woman you are engaged to marry into you home knowing she is pregnant with the baby not yours?
Joseph was a simple carpenter. By all accounts a good and faithful man. There are lots of good people. They line the streets. Their acts of charity are legion. That’s not what struck me.
It is Joseph’s faith. When an angel comes and gives him the news he immediately accepts it and takes the pregnant Mary into his home. How does he know it’s an angel? How does he know the message is from God?
He doesn’t. He accepts it on faith – just like we accept Jesus and God and the Holy Spirit on faith. How many dreams must Joseph have had to be so ready to accept this so easily. This was life changing like you and I can’t know. Joseph had to set all his plans aside. Whatever he imagined life would be like – well, not anymore.
We have to be willing to lay it all down and “pick up our cross” and follow him – on faith.
At least that’s what I heard Him say…
What I Heard Him Say 