We are now only a week away from the day when we celebrate the Lord’s coming in the Incarnation, in Jesus, Emmanuel, God is with us, as we are reminded in today’s reading. For thousands of years, a waiting world yearned for this momentous event. Now we know that God’s actual, physical presence in the world has been realized. Amid all the hustle and bustle of these final days before Christmas, let us not overlook the greatest gift of all.
Mary was betrothed to Joseph. Before they lived together, she was pregnant with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph was a righteous man, Matthew tells us, devoutly observing the law. He was also a decisive man, working out a plan that would enable him to uphold the law in a way that would be merciful to his betrothed Mary. But the angel of the Lord intervened and Joseph immediately changes his plans. He remained as decisive as before, but with a brand new decision. We may not experience anything as dramatic as Joseph’s dream, but God can intervene in our lives as well, asking us to change our plans, no matter how decisive we already are. May we remain open to God’s intervention in our lives. This means through all the excitement and stress of this coming week, can we be attentive to how Jesus remains with us and discern how God is calling us?
Love, Peace, Joy,
Fr. Bob
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