Parish Bulletin Letter: 4th Sunday of Advent 2016

This will appear in the December 18 St. John Bosco Parish Bulletin 

We have now entered into the final days leading up to Christmas, called the “Great Days of Advent.” Until December 17 we had been reflecting in a general way on the Second Coming of Christ and the need to repent in order to accept the Kingdom of God. Now our attention turns to the events leading up to Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. This great mystery, called the Incarnation, is celebrated to remind us that God loved us so much he actually took on human flesh (in caro in Latin), sharing in our human nature. 

In today’s reading Joseph is faced with a grave dilemma. He has heard that Mary, his soon to be wife, is with child. He knows that he isn’t the father, and he doesn’t know how to react. The law said that he had to right to dismiss her, exposing her to public shame, and possibly stoning. His heart tells him to break off the engagement, but not say why, protecting Mary from public condemnation. In doing this Joseph would look like a scoundrel who abandoned his wife and child. He, who was innocent in this affair, was willing to take the blame to protect someone else. God showed Joseph a different way. He enlightened his heart to accept the call to be foster father to the Savior. Joseph had faith to see that the child born to Mary was no ordinary baby – He was the Son of God who was to save the World. Because Joseph believed when it was difficult, and acted on that belief, he has received a place of honor among the Saints as patron of the Universal Church. As he was protector of the Baby Jesus on earth, he is now proctor of the Church on earth. 

We live in trying times, and knowing the right thing to do can be difficult. In Joseph y we see the proper attitude. First off, Joseph sought the merciful path, even when it would have cost him his reputation. Secondly, he was open to the voice of God that led him to see another way.  We need to allow God into our hearts to see the possibilities. So here we have the two keys to understanding the true meaning of Christmas: to show mercy to others, as God has been merciful to us, and to trust God, especially in the difficult moments.