Christmas is not a celebration of meaningless festivities. It’s time to reflect on our faith. Christmas is like Jesus coming to us and asking, “Here I am, the Savior. Do you believe?”
Reflecting on the Gospel of this fourth Advent Sunday (Matthew 1:18-24) caused me to really feel challenged in my faith. I always thought that my faith was good. Perhaps even great and strong! However, as I was reading this text I felt struck by the example of St. Joseph. Unlike him, I would probably question God’s plan and hesitate to take Mary as wife.
Why? Because I have personal pride and would feel ashamed. In the Indonesian culture, it is expected that a man would uphold the family’s good name. And there are many other reasons to refuse such a commitment. Honestly, I would never accept marrying a pregnant girl. Even if an angel appeared to me assuring that this is God’s action. I would definitely turn it down… But that’s me! I realize how different I am from St. Joseph… My arrogance is too great.
Returning to the Gospel of Matthew 1:18-24, I come to admire St. Joseph. What an extraordinary man! Perhaps he also had thoughts as I described above, but the angel encouraged him, “Do not doubt!” (Matthew 1:20). In fact, St. Joseph was willing to accept God’s will, despite how risky it could be for own life. He could have been ostracized, reviled by his own people… Nevertheless, St. Joseph chose to embrace and participate in this divine plan. He was ready for God, no matter what! Extraordinay!
On this fourth Advent Sunday, St. Joseph teaches us how to live a righteous life. It is about living by faith, and faith is more than just believing. It means being obedient, listening and heeding to God’s will. This is what he did, “when Joseph awoke, he did as the angel had commanded. He took Mary as his wife” (Matthew 1:24).
Obedience requires humility, and St. Joseph teaches us this virtue as well. Although the text does not say it, it is obvious that St. Joseph put aside his own plans and dreams to do God’s will. Unlike me, he did not care for his own pride. While I rely on too much on self-esteem, am afraid of risks, and lack humility, St. Joseph surrendered entirely in God’s hands. This is humility!
Hopefully, this Sunday Gospel will help us prepare for Christmas. I pray that we can do even better, that our faith allows us to truly accept his presence in this life. Following Fr. Dehon’s spirituality, let us always live in obedience and humility before God. May the Sacred Heart bless us!
