When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man
and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace,
planned to dismiss her quietly.
But just when he had resolved to do this,
an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream
and said, "Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife,
for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus,
for he will save his people from their sins."
All this took place to fulfill
what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
"Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means,
"God is with us."
When Joseph awoke from sleep,
he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him;
he took her as his wife,
but had no marital relations with her
until she had borne a son;
and he named him Jesus.
Joseph
Guido Reni, 1641
Dear friends,
Today we will reflect on the story of Joseph and Mary as recorded in Matthew 1:18-25. This passage tells the story of how Joseph, a righteous man, discovers that his betrothed, Mary, is pregnant and decides to divorce her quietly. But then he is visited by an angel in a dream, who tells him that the child Mary is carrying is the son of God. Joseph trusts the message and takes Mary as his wife.
What can we learn from this story about righteousness and faith?
First, let us consider the character of Joseph. He is described as a righteous man, and this is demonstrated by his intention to divorce Mary quietly rather than publicly shaming her when he discovers that she is pregnant. This act shows kindness and compassion towards Mary, and suggests that Joseph is a just and fair person.
But Joseph's righteousness is also demonstrated by his act of faith and obedience when he is visited by the angel in a dream. Despite the unusual nature of the message, Joseph trusts and follows the instructions given to him. This act of faith is an important quality for anyone seeking to live a righteous life, as it demonstrates a willingness to trust in a higher power and to follow the path that is laid out for us.
So, dear friends, let us strive to embody the qualities of righteousness and faith that are exemplified by Joseph in this passage. May we always seek to act with kindness and compassion, and may we have the courage and trust to follow the path that is laid out for us, even when it may be difficult or unclear. Thank you.