Meditation
Matthew chapter 1:18-24
"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." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means "God is with us." When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home."
Reflection
When we look at Joseph he seems to be a bit of an enigma, what do we make of this man who God found to be righteous?Just as with Mary, God did not simply pick Joseph from a pack he created Joseph to be true father to His Son Jesus, from the beginning Joseph was chosen to bear this honour for all time.
What we learn from Joseph is the lesson of listening. Joseph's ears were not attuned to what people would think of him, rather Joseph listened to the voice of God which floats through our heart as a gentle breeze ripples past a still pond disturbing but not enraging the quiet water.
This man not only listen to that still small voice of God, he then obeyed it without question. He did not question God's Wisdom but rather played his part in fulfilling the Will of God through humble servitude. Joseph accepted the responsibility that God entrusted to him, this righteous man above men put God first in his life and upon hearing the words of the Angel he then took Mary as his beloved and chaste spouse as they both perfected what living the Divine Will means to every family that embraces Catholic values.
At the heart of Joseph we see a man who bends to the Will of God in total and absolute self denial as he follows what God has requested of him, he who is a simple carpenter. There is no false humility, Joseph simply got on with what God had asked of him and from him we learn what true self giving is, and the quiet depths of a man totally in love with his Hidden God. A God who he would hold in his arms as Mary rested...This is Joseph a man after God's own Heart.
How much is your heart attuned to hear the still small voice of God?
