Fourth Sunday of Advent

Matthew 1:18-25

18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.

20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.”

24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

" Emmanuel, God is with us."

This fourth Sunday of Advent gives us a week of joyful hope to welcome the Prince of Peace in the way He deserves, and in the best way we ought to.

Today's Gospel is full of challenges and difficult decisions. It is a true experience that St. Joseph went through. It can be a great lesson for us faithful to learn from - and to behave accordingly.

Mary, already engaged to Joseph, has responded positively to Archangel Gabriel by accepting to be the mother of Jesus from the Holy Spirit. Joseph realizes that his beloved fiancée is pregnant. Storms of thoughts, doubts and hesitations almost suffocate him from the intensity of doubt and fear. Joseph has two options, denounce Mary to her parents according to Moses' law, or dismiss her quietly.

Denouncing her means she will be stoned to death at her parents' door according to Deuteronomy 22:13-21. That will be a public disgrace to "the full of grace." But Joseph was a "righteous or just man.” He will not disgrace the betrothed lady whom he loves and has chosen to be his partner for life. The best choice is to dismiss her quietly, leaving the results to time and circumstances. He will not be involved in killing or disgracing anybody.

As Joseph undergoes this turmoil, God intervenes to clarify, assure and invite him to live the vocation with which he will be entrusted. "Don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit." Mattthew 1:20.

A wake-up call is given to Joseph. The lady and child will be entrusted to him. He will take excellent care of them with wisdom, silent obedience to God's will, and patience among plenty of challenges and the Fear of God.

With God's intervention, Joseph discovers a third option that brings him reconciliation with himself, and irradiates his doubts and fear. It is God's way that Joseph decides to accept and adopt. “When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did what the angel of the Lord commanded him" Matthew 1:24.

When we hear God's call, realize that what may happen TO us is really FOR us, as it happened for Joseph.

It is worthy to spend a few minutes thinking about Joseph's attitude and behavior. Have you experienced any kind of betrayal of love in your life? How did you react, with disgrace for the other, or riding the tempest with its challenging waves to save love and the loved one?

Trust God, be strong and brave to avoid troubles, panic and false decisions that may hurt both ourselves, our love and our loved ones.

In case of difficult challenges, take St. Joseph as a model of a faithful one who fears God and deserves to be known as a "Righteous or Just Man" (Matthew 1:19). Emmanuel, God is with us! Are we with Him?