Spending Advent with Mary, the Mother of Jesus
Friday of the 3rd Week of Advent
Mary’s Husband
Reflection
Mary’s unplanned pregnancy must have been quite a shock to Joseph, as upright a man as he is described to be in the Gospel. We must never forget that Mary was part of a “power couple” in the First Century. Joseph himself was a man of great faith. Having listened carefully in his prayer, Joseph heard God’s messenger. He trusted that God was with them as a couple and he responded in faith.
Surely for Mary’s Husband, the words of Psalm 72 would have been memorized and frequently on his lips, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous deeds.” Likewise
for us, Advent is a time for us to clear away everything that prevents us from hearing God’s voice, often delivered to us by the people or events around us who serve as God’s messengers, calling us to do good and avoid evil. We must pray with Joseph in this psalm, and invite God to be our strength. This will bring us to the Feast of Christmas ready to celebrate with great faith, with great joy, blessing God as Joseph did.
Share with others or ponder alone
At what moments in your life have you heard God’s “messengers”? Through what people, actions, events, or prayers has God spoken to you?
Take action
Think today about certain people in your life whom you tune out and have stopped listening to. Consider how God may be calling you through them.
Prayer for today
O God of David and Joseph, you speak to me in the people and events of my life. Help me to hear you, and to respond in faith when I do. Amen.