Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Advent
Although Joseph was not the biological father of Jesus, he was a true father to Jesus. When Jesus was found in the temple, Mary said to Jesus, “Your father and I have been looking for you.” (Luke 2:48). We can imagine the love and affection between Joseph and Jesus, and between Joseph and Mary. We can imagine Joseph’s pain at the poor circumstances of Jesus’ birth. We can imagine the pain that he must have suffered when Simeon told Mary that Jesus would be a sign that would be opposed and that a sword would pierce Mary’s soul (Luke 2:34-35). We can imagine the pain Joseph suffered when he had to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt for safety to preserve their lives.
What gave Joseph the strength to endure all the trials his vocation brought him? It was obviously his life of prayer that gave him the strength to be obedient to God’s call to him. He was a just man, a man of honor as our Gospel today tells us. He had to have been a man of deep faith to fulfill his high calling. Even though St. Joseph was a man of no words, he was still this powerful figure. He was a powerful figure of the church, of spousal love, and the protector of children and family. He had to make preparations for the first Christmas, to submit to God’s plan in faith. As we prepare for Christmas we can turn to Joseph asking his help so that we can prepare our hearts in faith to be worthy mangers to receive Jesus.
Readings from December 19, 2021
Micah 5:1-4a
Psalms 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19
Hebrews 10:5-10
Luke 1:39-45
