Fourth Sunday of Advent (“A”) – December 18, 2016

Joseph was a man of deep faith who listened to the voice of God. He struggled to make sense of the message that Mary had given him. Sometimes Joseph heard God speak to him through his dreams, at other times in a moment of quiet prayer, sometimes at the end of the day when he looked over the events of work, relationship and family. He knew that God is a God of mystery and that in history God had always called people to take risks and live with the unpredictable nature of life. Joseph wandered why God was testing his faith. He thought the the easiest thing would be to abandon Mary and start again. However, he loved her and knew that she was honest, true and had great integrity. He asked himself why life was so complicated, just when all had seemed so good as he prepared to marry Mary. He struggled with God in prayer during the night and eventually went to sleep. Joseph needed to accept this fact, care for Mary and support her at this strange but wonderful time. How mysterious are the ways of God.