Daily reflection _ a man of incredible faith

A MAN OF INCREDIBLE FAITH
Like Mary, Joseph is a model of faith for us. He is a faithful witness and servant of God's unfolding plan of redemption.
Deacon John Ruscheinsky
Today's Gospel shows us how Joseph, a descendant of David, took Mary as his wife and adopted her Child as his own. As a result of his actions, Jesus was incorporated into the house of David in fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. But the Gospel contains a puzzling element. The angel assures Joseph that he should not fear to take Mary as his wife. What was Joseph afraid of? Knowing Mary, could he possibly have thought that she had been unfaithful to Him? If so, his reaction would not have been fear, but rather revulsion and indignation. Moreover, the evangelist clearly states that Mary "was found with child through the power of the Holy Spirit." Only Joseph himself could have been the person to find her with child through the power of the Holy Spirit. Confiding in him would have been the most natural thing for Mary to do.
Joseph's fear, then, was not about Mary. It was about himself. Humble as he was, he could not see how he of all people could presume to become the husband of someone who had been touched by God. He felt unworthy to take part in so holy a situation. The word of the angel did not give Joseph information, but direction - to go ahead with his marriage. Joseph believed in the Divine message to take Mary as his wife and to accept the Child in her womb as the promised Messiah.
Like Mary, Joseph is a model of faith for us. He is a faithful witness and servant of God's unfolding plan of redemption. The old expression, "Life is what happens when you are making other plans," could be said of Joseph today. Our plans could make a sudden change for us as well. In fact, I am sure you can think of times throughout your life that they did. How did you handle it at the time? Think about it. Were you angry, stricken with anxiety, uncertain what to do? Or were you ready to believe in the promises of God even when faced with perplexing circumstances and changes that seemed to be insurmountable problems? God has not left us alone, for He has sent us His only Begotten Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Christmas is appealing to us because it brings God so close to us. Jesus is indeed "Emmanuel" - God with us - in a simple, human way. But we should never allow the simplicity and humanness of Christmas dull our sense of wonder and awe. We would do well to imitate Joseph in his humility because, in many ways, we are just like him! Oftentimes, we feel that we are not worthy, but it is God who calls us to do His will and that is what makes us His worthy children. We are worthy of taking part in God's work here on earth; to take part in so holy a reality. What a great gift!
In the Responsorial Psalm we proclaim today, "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous deeds" (Ps 72:18). Let us prepare to celebrate Christmas - the Feast of the Incarnation - with joyful hearts and renew our faith and hope in God!