St James Catholic Church

Dear Parishioners,

How appropriate that we hear this Gospel on the shortest day of the year, the day with the least amount of sunlight. Joseph's hopes and dreams must have seemed bleak when he realized that his betrothed was found with child. But just as the winter solstice turns around the six-month process of ever-decreasing light with the slow but sure progress of longer sunlight, Joseph’s dream turns his dashed hopes around to the joy that the woman he chose for his wife also will be saved from the deep darkness of sin. No matter how low we may feel, God is always with us to turn our situation around.

“Do not be afraid,” the angel says to Joseph, echoing the words Gabriel said to Mary when telling her, that she would bear God’s Son. Joseph, being a righteous man, no doubt feared involvement in a situation that was deemed sinful. In one sense, the angel’s explanation is reassuring, for not only was Mary not unfaithful, she would bear the Son who would save people from their sins. However, the importance of helping to raise such a child and the responsibilities that would result could have greatly increased Joseph's anxiety. But upon waking, he immediately decides to obey the angel and to obey God. He commits himself to God’s plan, challenging as it will surely be.

Joseph’s act of mercy, his decision to not expose Mary to shame, presage the great act of mercy that will soon come into the world. Our small human acts of many may seem inadequate or unimportant, but when they participate in the divine mercy that God has shown repeatedly, they may themselves lead to something greater. If nothing else, they add to the amount of mercy operating in the world, and that is always a good thing.

Love, Peace, Joy,

Fr. Bob