Sunday Reflection with Fr Robin Gibbons - 22 December 2013

Dec 21st, 2013

Advent 4 Year A

The figure of Joseph, Son of David, the husband of Mary and guardian of Jesus hardly appears in the Gospel story, but when he does certain characteristics emerge even in the scanty references. Matthew places him in a relationship with Mary, she is betrothed to him. Finding her pregnant, Joseph doesn’t make a public issue out of it, nor does he follow the normal pattern of divorce, for some reason he takes the quiet thoughtful way, which would allow Mary some dignity and the possibility of a life. We could guess at the stigma attached to her situation if it was made known openly.

Joseph has the gift of merciful compassion, but there is more. The evangelist draws a word picture of a reflective character somebody able to examine and discern various possibilities. The solution comes to him in a dream, as some solutions often do. The voice of his internal life and the voice of God’s message combine to give him the solution. He must not be afraid of the situation or consequences but make his life with Mary and the unborn one, and so he does.

How does that resonate with us? Matthew’s story is a reminder that God works with us when we are open to the presence of the Spirit in our lives. Too often like Joseph we are afraid of what is to come and perhaps a bit afraid of what God calls us to do. In this story heart and mind work together, prayer and reflection enable Joseph to experience God’s presence in that situation and not be afraid of facing God. That should be part of our faith life too.
We know more than Joseph and Mary did at that point in the story, they had to conquer the fear of the unknown and go forward in loving trust of God’s promises. For us, Christ has died and is risen. The Good News of salvation is at the heart of all our festivals, even Christmas. Paul tells us what we are called to do because we are ‘specially chosen to preach the Good News that God promised long ago…to all in honour of his name’. The Prophet Isaiah tells us the true name of the one we proclaim, Emmanuel, God-is-with-us. The angel tells us not to be afraid. Joseph preached the gospel through his life, so should we.