Sometimes we content ourselves with the humdrum of life rather than try something new. What is it, especially as we get older, that keeps us from venturing into something new? For me, it is fear. There is the fear of expending energy to try something new, the fear of failing at it, and the general fear of change.
We are comforted to know that even St. Joseph had to deal with fears. Today we celebrate the birthday of the greatest woman who ever lived—blessed among all women—Mary, mother of Jesus. We are told about Mary through Joseph (Matthew 1:18-23).
“When his (Jesus) mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.”
What was going on with Joseph that he decided to divorce Mary? Was he afraid of what the community would think about him if he took a pregnant woman into his home? Was he afraid of breaking God’s law by marrying Mary? There is a strain in Church tradition that says his fear stemmed from a sense of unworthiness. Knowing that God had intervened in a special way and that Mary was a specially chosen one of God, he realized his own inadequacies. Who was he to take on such an awesome responsibility, and even play a pivotal role in God’s plan to save the world?
Joseph knew he was an ordinary Jew—a lowly carpenter. He was not like the great ones—Abraham, Samuel, David, Isaiah, and the rest. Did God make a mistake in choosing him to look after such a holy woman as Mary?
As he went through this inner struggle…
“an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘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.”
Of course Joseph was afraid. It took the word of God spoken through an angel to empower him to move forward in spite of his fears. Mary was not just a good, holy Jewess. She was a new creation–the first such since Eve–and the child within her womb was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Joseph found himself involved in the greatest work of God in history. No wonder he felt afraid and unworthy.
Did you ever ask how Joseph knew Mary was pregnant? The only way this could have happened is that she told him. And when she told him, no doubt she tried to explain the circumstances of the Annunciation. Her pregnancy was an act of God, not an act of man. Joseph was suddenly in over his head. Of course he was afraid.
Today we are entering into a period of history unlike the world has ever known. Recent saints and prophets have talked about his. To carry out his plan of salvation in the midst of such an era, God is raising up new “Joseph’s”—both men and women—to sustain the work of his kingdom during this time. None of us feel worthy or adequate to accept such a call. We are understandably afraid. So we turn to Joseph today and ask his counsel.
“Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise” (Alleluia verse).
