As we continue to intensify our Advent preparation, another important personality of the season is given to us in the Gospel for this 4
th Sunday of Advent: Joseph, the foster father of Jesus.
Aside from Mary, it was Joseph who awaited the birth of the Messiah in a very intimate and personal way. I could only imagine what Joseph was thinking and feeling as he anticipated being the “father” of the Messiah. His anticipation was not easy; his adjustment to fatherhood was not what he was expecting. He had doubts, misgivings and was probably fearful of the future. This was the reason why he originally planned to leave Mary quietly until the Lord intervened and revealed to him in a dream the blueprint of God’s plan. One would probably expect that God would have made it easier for him to embrace his new role, but Scriptures tell us that was not the case. Aside from their tumultuous journey in finding a room for Mary to give birth, they had to leave their land to go to Egypt to escape the plot of Herod, and “challenges” continued. It must have been quite an experience to be a “father” to God! But he did all of this in an uncomplaining manner. It’s amazing that in the Scriptures, Joseph never spoke a single word, but it is in this “silence” that his greatness and voice were heard in a magnificent way. He lived out his vocation as a father and husband with tenderness and care. In the Gospel this weekend, we hear that “Joseph did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took Mary as his wife” (Mt 1:24). These words already point to the mission which God entrusts to Joseph: he is to be the custos, the protector. The protector of whom? Of Mary and Jesus; but this protection is then extended to the Church. As Joseph protected his new family, he in turn protected the early Church which sprang forth from the very family that he was called to care for, protect and nurture. This is the very reason why we refer to him as the Patron of the Universal Church— because he truly guided the infant “church” that began in his own household.
We see in Joseph’s faithfulness and obedience the key to an authentic discipleship. Though he embraced his new role initially with hesitation, he completely trusted God when he found the confirmation that it was indeed the will of the Lord. When Pope Francis visited the Philippines two years ago, he mentioned that one of his favorite statues is the “sleeping St. Joseph.” He has this statue on his desk. He said that even when St. Joseph is asleep, he is still taking good care of the Church. Just as God revealed to Joseph his plan in moments of sleep and rest, there are also times when we have to “sleep” on our most important decisions and allow the Lord to speak to us in silence and prayer to confirm the right step to take. And once we get a confirmation from God, we must rise from our slumber and act on God’s command with newly found confidence in his providence. Rather than complain and complain and back away from God’s
invitation, seek the Lord and discern his will! Joseph overcame difficulties because he rested with God. – Fr. Cary