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December 18, 2020We don’t hear a lot about Joseph in the Gospels. In fact, Mark’s and John’s Gospel don’t mention him and Luke tells the story of the Annunciation from Mary’s point of view. Joseph is silent in the Gospels, but Matthew tells us something very important. Joseph “was a righteous man.” In Hebrew “righteous” is a big word because God is “Righteous.” Righteousness refers to a person of integrity who not only seeks justice, lives the Ten Commandments, but also whose heart is open to the Mystery of God. Joseph was a man formed by the paradoxical faith stories of his ancestors; the courage of the prophets; the daily meditations of the psalms which enabled him to say “Yes” to God’s invitations throughout his life.
Yet, for Joseph, this situation was tragically different from anything he had experienced. But he trusted the subtle presence of the God he had come to know. He didn’t have an apparition. God didn’t whisper in his ear. God offered him a dream that not only confirmed the compassion and love Joseph had for Mary, but also led him deeper into the mystery of salvation.
The Gospel today begins by saying “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.” Our times are different, but Joseph helps us understand what it means to live by faith. He reminds us of the importance of silence and deep listening, as we suspend our judgment of others and lean on compassion and mercy. With Joseph we pray today for discerning spirits so we can continue saying “Yes” to whatever invitations God offers us so Christ might be birthed anew in our world today.
