joseph

Joseph and Mary trusted, followed the will of God, and gave us our Savior.

Joseph had an interesting twenty-four hour period. First, he learned that his betrothed, Mary, was “with child”. Betrothal in ancient Judaism was not what we think of today as being engaged. Betrothal is the first step in the marriage process in which the man and wife give consent to marry before at least two witnesses. The wife remains with her family while the husband builds a home for them. Once the time for the second stage of the marriage arrives, they will celebrate for about a week and then at the end, there is a procession of the husband and wife and all present that leads to their home. The couple enters their new home and consummate the marriage.

The key point is that even in the first stage of the marriage, the betrothal period, the couple is considered to be married and have formed a covenantal bond. If on the night of marriage it was uncovered that the woman was not a virgin or that she had conceived a child with another man, the punishment could be as severe as stoning. Although, by the time of the Roman occupation, it was not allowed for the Jews to enact capital punishment. This is why the Jewish leadership brought Jesus to Pilate to get permission for his crucifixion and why the crucifixion was enacted by the Roman centurions.

Providing this context may help us better understand that when Joseph hears the news from Mary that she is pregnant, and knowing that he was not the biological father he decided, to “divorce her quietly.” This could have been because he did not believe Mary, that she conceived this child through the power of the Holy Spirit. He also could have believed Mary, recognizing this was a miracle, but did not feel himself worthy to take on this roll. Either way or if there was some other thoughts swirling in his brain, before being able to act on his decision, the angel Gabriel had a few things to say.

“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home” (Mt. 1:20). Gabriel confirmed Mary’s story and was asking Joseph to fulfill his vow to Mary and to commence with completing the second stage of their marriage. Gabriel also called Joseph, “Son of David.”

These words reveal that the royal line of David did not die out at the destruction of the Temple in 587 BC at the hands of the Babylonians. Joseph was an heir to the throne of David. Gabriel continued, “You will name him Jesus” (Mt. 1:21). In calling Joseph to name Jesus, even though he was not his biological father, meant that he was asking him to adopt him legally and that meant he was just as much his son as if by blood. Meaning that Jesus would be part of the royal lineage and an heir to the throne as Joseph was.

The end of Gabriel’s message was the most powerful. Jesus or Yeshua in Aramaic, means God or the LORD saves, and this son of Joseph and Mary was not just to be the long awaited Messiah, he is: “Emmanuel, which means ‘God with us'” (Mt. 1:23) and he be the savior of the children of God, he would save them from their sins. If Joseph did not know how to respond to Mary’s version of her account, what about now? Joseph followed Gabriel’s opening line and was not afraid. Joseph fulfilled his word, trusted in God, fulfilled the second stage of marriage, and was willing, ready and able to provide and protect his young family from the challenges that were about to unfold.

Both Joseph and Mary awaited the coming of the Messiah just as so many of their kinsmen, yet neither could believe the part they were asked to play in being the parents of the Son of God. Yet, once they were clear of the plan that God had for them they faithfully assumed their responsibility. Because of Joseph and Mary’s faith and trust in God, their ascent to follow the will of God, the second person of the Trinity, the Son of God, took on flesh and became man in the virgin womb of Mary.

As Jesus would later speak during his public ministry, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God, and observe it” (see Luke 11:28). Joseph and Mary did just that and continued to do so with each thought word and deed going forward. They are models for us and Jesus their Son is more than a model, but the one who saves us, gives us the strength, guidance, and hope when we may feel weak, lost, or experiencing sorrow.

There are so many anonymous people within and without of the Church who are just like Mary and Joseph. They quietly and diligently go about their daily lives as pencils in God’s hands. They are not only open to hearing but also following the guidance of the Word of God. They ascent to the truth and follow through with their actions. They may not have even be aware of the profound effect that their choices have had on others.

Throughout the Bible, God calls those who are not necessarily worthy, but humble and willing to play their part in salvation history. Each one of us is invited to participate as well. If our heart aches about a particular issue and we may wonder why God does not intercede and correct a certain situation, he may be convicting our conscience, moving our hearts to compassion. The injustice that tugs at our heartstrings could be an invitation from the Holy Spirit to be the hands and feet of Jesus to help to make right what has gone wrong.

Mary and Joseph waited with great expectation for the Messiah, never in their wildest dreams would they have imagined that they would play a central role in his birth. Never would they have dreamed that he would be more than the Messiah, he would be “Emmanuel, God with us.” Jesus remained fully divine while he became fully human. If it were not for the care, guidance, and support of Mary and Joseph, things would have gone badly for Jesus and for us all.

May we allow our hearts and minds to be conformed to the movement of the love of Holy Spirit as did Mary and Joseph. Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and the saints have paved the way of salvation history for us to follow. We are invited to walk on, even if with baby steps in the beginning, and play our part by daily allowing each thought, word, and action to be filtered by the Holy Spirit so that we can engage in small acts of great love with each choice we make.

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Painting: “All is Calm” by Gabriel Heaton from havenlight.com

Link for the Mass readings for Sunday, December 21, 2025

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, please help us to follow the will of God as you did.

Joseph heard the news that Mary, his betrothed, was with child. In ancient Judaism, a betrothal was the first stage of marriage in which the couple exchanged their consent before at least two witnesses. They were considered to be legally married and yet the woman would still live in her home for up to a year. The second stage happened when the bride moved into the groom’s home and they consummated the marriage.

In Matthew sharing the information that Joseph and Mary were betrothed, indicated that the child was not biologically Joseph’s. Matthew does disclose the thoughts or emotions of Joseph about what he felt when he found out this news. Whatever inner turmoil he had, he chose not to bring Mary’s case to a public hearing, he did not want expose Mary to any shame. He was not going to make a public spectacle of Mary, but instead decided to “divorce her quietly.” Before he made his final decision though, Joseph made an excellent choice regarding the discernment of serious matters. He slept on the idea before acting.

During Joseph’s sleep, the angel of the Lord delivered a message. “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). When Joseph awoke, he was obedient to the angel of the Lord. Joseph was willing to change his mind and took his wife into his home (Mt 1:24).

We may hear this so many times, we may miss the power of Joseph’s choice. He could have felt anger that the child was not his own and that Mary was unfaithful, which is what most of us go to when we read this account. There is another interpretation of the “reverential fear view,” which “was held by Sts. Thomas Aquinas, Bernard, Basil, and Ephraim. In this view, Mary told Joseph about her conceiving by the Holy Spirit and he responds with religious awe over the mystery of what God is working in Mary” (Curtis and Sri, 44). Joseph, like many of the prophets when encountering the work of God concretely do not feel worthy to follow through on what is being asked of him.

We don’t know what was going through Joseph’s mind before the angel, but we do know that he as did Mary once he was clear of God’s will trusted in God’s will, and “that has made all the difference” to quote Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken.” Because of Mary and Joseph’s, “yes”, to God and to family, the Son of God became man and opened up heaven for us in the humanity he assumed.

God often works in the same way when dealing with us. What may appear to be absurd, unimaginable, or downright impossible, is indeed possible when we align our will with God’s will. This is the week of Joy in Advent.

The source of joy does not come from external experiences but from an encounter with and acceptance of God’s invitation. Joy is an experience of communion with the love of God. This has been given to us in greater measure because Jesus became one with us, and so upon his ascension into heaven, we too can experience the loving communion he experiences with his Father. We can also experience the love of the Holy Spirit in our encounter with family and friends, this exchange of giving and receiving of ourselves in conversation, shared experiences, and in resolving challenges and conflicts together.

Mary and Joseph both received incredible news, that neither of them fully comprehended. They could have easily responded in a different way. They could have given into very real fears. Instead, they trusted in and obeyed God, they chose family, and because they did, we can rejoice not just during this week but we can rejoice always! The same God who sought out Mary and Joseph has a plan for us as well.

Mary and Joseph followed God’s lead and were willing to allow their unborn child, Jesus, to come to full term. Because they were willing to risk public ridicule and worse, Jesus entered into our human condition. There may be a difficult situation we are dealing with, we may feel like we are on our own, and that there is no way out, and/or no help on the horizon. God will make a way when there appears to be no way, and reveal it to us through his Son. We may not understand either, but like Mary and Joseph, let us trust in God, one another.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, please intercede on our behalf this Advent Season such that we will resist the temptation of taking each of our family members for granted, and instead give others the benefit of the doubt, appreciate and be thankful for one another. Help us to react less and breathe deeply more. Help us to be more understanding, patient, and willing to forgive, such that even though we have experienced past hurts, conflicts, disagreements, and different points of view, we may ultimately experience time and again the joy of being there for one another, through thick and thin.

Photo: Blessed to spend time with the Holy Family each evening for my holy hour.

Link for the Mass readings for Thursday, December 18, 2025

Discerning? Trust in Jesus, Joseph, and the angel of the Lord.

Who do we want to be? It is so easy to get caught up in being busy, taking care of children, the home, school assignments, work, as well as a myriad of other activities that each of us, experiencing our unique vocation in life, can add to the list. These can all be good things, but we can lose ourselves in our business and responsibilities such that we slip into a state of survival mode or merely existing. One day can move into one week, into one month, into one year, and then we wake up one morning and wonder where the last ten years have gone!

We can fall into the trap of being defined by what we do instead of who we are and who God is calling us to be. God has a plan for each one of us with the end result being eternal communion with him in heaven. Living a life of holiness and becoming saints is who God seeks each of us to be. We need to remind ourselves of this from time to time, by assessing where we are now and if we are listening to the guidance of God.

Our Gospel account from Matthew today gives us an opportunity to see holiness in action. Joseph has become aware that Mary, his betrothed, is with child and he is not the Father. Joseph, “a righteous man” follows the law, but is “unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly” (Mt 1:19). Joseph’s life of righteousness pulls him to follow the law, yet he shows that discernment in matters of the dignity of the person is just as important. Joseph not only was unwilling to make Mary into a public spectacle but was also unwilling to allow the possibility of her to be stoned to death.

Joseph pondered the idea of divorcing her quietly. Before he made his final decision, Joseph slept on the matter, which is often a good course of action when weighing such a heavy issue. How many times do we rush into decisions only to regret them later? Joseph receives God’s direction through the angel of the Lord in a dream.

When Joseph awoke in the morning, he did not dig in his heels feeling that he knew best, that he knew better than Gabriel, and returned to his original decision. Joseph did not let fear or anxiety about the possible scenarios that were running through his mind regarding what others may say or think sway him, nor did the possible and real difficulties he could envision deter him. Joseph trusted in God. With confidence and assurance of who he was and what God called him to do, Joseph acted on the guidance he had received.

St. Joseph is a model for us. When faced with decisions to make, we need to remember who we are, whose we are, and who we are called to be. We are children of God, and that means we belong to God, a God who loves and cares for us. He has a plan for each of our lives. Every decision and action is a step in fulfilling that plan.

When we are discerning, no matter how large or small, we are invited to gather information, look at the reasonable options available, all the while, continuing to seek God’s guidance. God will guide us through many means and ways such as a thought, a family member or friend sharing an insight at an opportune time, as well as through our dreams. Joseph followed these steps and God granted him not only the guidance he sought but the support to fulfill the commission he received. We can be assured that God will do the same as we discern his direction too.

St. Joseph, pray for us!

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Painting: Closeup of Rembrandt’s “Dream of St. Joseph”

Link for the Mass for Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Mary and Joseph, a yes to God and a yes to life.

Joseph heard the news that Mary, his betrothed, was with child. He clearly knew the child was not biologically his. Scripture does not account for the thoughts or emotions of Joseph, but whatever inner turmoil he did have, he came to a decision that would not expose Mary to shame. He was not going to make a public spectacle of Mary, but instead decided to divorce her quietly. Before he made his final decision though, Joseph made an excellent choice regarding the discernment of serious matters. He slept on the idea before acting.

During Joseph’s sleep, the angel of the Lord delivered a message. “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). When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home (Mt 1:24).

From their encounter with God’s messengers, both Mary and Joseph trusted in God’s will, and “that has made all the difference” to quote Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken.” Because of Mary and Joseph’s “yes” to God and to family, the Son of God became man and opened up heaven for us in the humanity he assumed.

God often works in the same way when dealing with us. What may appear to be absurd, unimaginable, or downright impossible, is indeed possible when we align our will with God’s will. This is the week of Joy in Advent.

The source of joy does not come from external experiences but from an encounter with and acceptance of God’s invitation. Joy is an experience of communion with the love of God. This has been given to us in greater measure because Jesus became one with us, and so upon his ascension into heaven, we too can experience the loving communion he experiences with his Father. We also experience the love of the Holy Spirit in our encounter with family and friends, this exchange of giving and receiving of ourselves in conversation, shared experiences, and in resolving challenges and conflicts together.

Mary and Joseph both received incredible news, that neither of them fully comprehended. They could have easily responded in a different way. Instead, they trusted in God, they chose family, and because they did, we can rejoice not just during this week but as we heard from the past Sunday from Paul, we are to rejoice always!

Mary and Joseph followed God’s lead and were willing to allow their unborn child, Jesus, to come to full term. Because they were willing to risk public ridicule and worse, Jesus entered into our human condition. There may be a difficult situation we are dealing with, we may feel we are on our own, and that there is no way out, and/or no help on the horizon. God will make a way and reveal it to us through his Son. We may not understand either, but like Mary and Joseph, let us trust in God, one another, and experience that we are not alone.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, please intercede on our behalf this Advent Season such that we may better be able to resist the temptation of taking each of our family members for granted, but instead choose to be appreciative and thankful for one another. Help us to react less and breathe deeply more. Help us to be more understanding, patient, and willing to forgive, such that even though we have experienced past hurts, conflicts, disagreements, and different points of view, we may ultimately experience time and again the joy of being there for one another, through thick and thin.

Photo: Stained glass window of the betrothal of Joseph and Mary, from the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Connellsville, PA by Nancy Bauer.

Link for the Mass readings for Wednesday, December 18, 2024

When making decisions, prayer and reason are a good place to start.

Who do we want to be? It is so easy to get caught up in being busy, taking care of children, the home, school assignments, work, as well as a myriad of other activities that each of us, experiencing our own unique station in life, can add to this list. These can all be good things, but we can lose ourselves in our busyness and responsibilities such that we slip into a state of survival mode or merely existing. One day can move into one week, into one month, into one year, and then we wake up one morning and wonder where the last ten years went!

We can fall into the trap of being defined by what we do instead of who we are and who God is calling us to be. God has a plan for us with the end result being eternal communion with him in heaven. Living a life of holiness and becoming saints is our call. We need to remind ourselves of this from time to time, more often rather than less actually, by assessing where we are now and being more open to the guidance of God.

In today’s Gospel, Joseph has become aware that Mary, his betrothed, is with child and he is not the father. We can forget about the humanity of the moment, reading now from so many years removed. I am sure there was some serious anguish that Joseph dealt with even as we read that he is “a righteous man” who follows the law, but is “unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly” (Mt 1:19). Joseph’s life of righteousness pulls him to follow the law, yet he shows that discernment in matters of the dignity of the person is just as important. Joseph not only was unwilling to make Mary into a public spectacle but was also unwilling to allow the possibility of her to be stoned to death.

Joseph pondered the idea of divorcing her quietly and again no mention of the mental maelstrom, intestinal upheaval, or emotional roller coaster as he pondered. Yet, a very good piece of guidance we can glean from this account. Before he made his final decision, Joseph slept on the matter, which is often a good course of action when weighing such a heavy issue. How many times do we rush into decisions only to regret them later? Because Joseph is willing to wait a bit, he receives God’s direction through the angel of the Lord in a dream.

When Joseph arose that morning, he did not dig in his heels feeling he knew best and then return to his original decision, he did not let fear or anxiety or whatever emotions he may have experienced about the possible scenarios that played out in his mind sway him, nor did the very possible and reality of the difficulties he could envision deter him. Joseph trusted God. With the confidence and assurance of who he was and who God called him to do, Joseph acted on the guidance he had received.

This is why St. Joseph is a model for us. When faced with decisions, we need to remember who we are, whose we are, and who we are called to be. We are children of God. That means we belong to God, a God who loves and cares for us. He has a plan for each of our lives. Every decision and action is a step in fulfilling that plan.

When we are discerning, no matter how large or small, we are invited to gather information, look at the reasonable options available, all the while, continuing to seek God’s guidance. God will guide and accompany us through many means and ways such as a thought, a family member or friend sharing an insight at an opportune time, experiences, through our dreams, as well as many other ways, including angelic support. God granted Joseph not only the guidance he sought but the support to fulfill the commission he received. We can be assured that God will do the same as we discern his direction as well.

St. Joseph, pray for us!

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Painting: “The Dream of St Joseph” by Anton Raphael Mengs about 1774

Link for the Mass readings for Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Are we willing to receive the Kingdom of God which is at hand?

The ten brothers of Joseph are envious of and hated him so much that they plotted to kill him. The Pharisees are planning to do the same with Jesus. Both Joseph and Jesus are beloved sons of their father, both will be sold for silver, and betrayed. Joseph remains faithful to God in his slavery in Egypt and through God’s providence will save the same brothers who betrayed him as well as all of his people from famine such that: what his brothers meant for ill, God would bring about for a greater good.

Jesus, the Son of God, is sent after his Baptism to call the descendants of the same people Joseph saved back to the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. And yet, many of the Pharisees and priests are not about to receive this message or the invitation to repent and believe the Gospel, because most of them do not believe they need to or are not willing to. Joseph was able to save his own father and brothers and his people for a time, but they would eventually die. The offer of the salvation that Jesus presented is an eternal one and yet many of the chief priests and the Pharisees closed their minds and hearts to him, so much so that they were seeking to arrest and kill him. Jesus appealed to them to change by sharing the parable of the Tenants.

At the close of the parable, Jesus said to them, “the Kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit” (Matthew 21:43). The leaders were the stewards of God’s Kingdom and could inherit and be a part of it, but they would not accept the Son sent by his Father, the landowner, who is God, and it would be taken from them.

Who then is the Kingdom of God to be given to? Those who are willing to repent and believe in the Gospel for the kingdom is present in Jesus. Jesus reaches out his hand to us. Will we refuse or are we willing to place our hand in his and walk with him where he will lead us?

When we take his hand, we will still feel the wound of the nail that pierced him through. Like Thomas, do we realize that we are holding the hand of our Lord and our God? Do we realize that Jesus was willing to give his life for you and me for this very moment in time?

Receive this gift to spend with Jesus. Share with him what is in your heart and on your mind. Breathe and be still and listen to what he would like to share with you. Trust in Jesus and this time together.

Photo: Some quiet time with Jesus this past Sunday, St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach, FL.

Link for the Mass readings for Friday, March 1, 2024