LEARNING FROM ST JOSEPH

This fourth Sunday of Advent, we turn our gaze on St Joseph the foster father of the Infant King, Emmanuel, God with us! From the account of St Matthew the Evangelist, we read that, ‘…the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit…When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him. He took his wife’ (cf Mt 1:18-24)

Beloved people of God, as we reflect on the history of our lives, as individuals and as families, may we never forget the place and the role of God. His part in the wellbeing of each of us as a family cannot be over emphasised. Most of the time, it needs the co-operation of a listening guardian, or parent  in the family to facilitate an admirable upbringing of the family or to maintain the unity and bond of the family unit.  

We pray for ears that listen – the type of listening that entails obedience. Obedience to God brings about fulfilment of his will in our lives. It ensures the realisation of the purpose for which we are created. Like St Paul who was called to be an Apostle and set apart for the gospel of God, we too are called to belong to Jesus Christ (cf Rm 1:1-7). May his will alone be done in our lives.      

   Fr. Ted