Reflect today on your faith in the face of difficulties

Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife to your home. Because it is through the Holy Spirit that this little girl was conceived in her. She will give birth to a son and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:20

What a blessed man Saint Joseph was. He was called to be the earthly father of the Son of God and the husband of the Mother of God! He must have admired this responsibility and, at times, he must have trembled with holy fear in the face of such a great vocation.

The interesting thing to note, however, is that the start of this call seemed to be marked by an obvious scandal. Maria was pregnant and it was not Joseph's. How can it be? The only earthly explanation was Mary's infidelity. But this was so contrary to who Joseph perceived it. Surely he would have been quite shocked and quite confused as he faced this apparent dilemma. What should it do?

We know what he decided to do in the beginning. She decided to divorce in silence. But then the angel spoke to him in a dream. And, after waking up from sleep, "he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took his wife to his home."

One aspect of this situation to ponder is the fact that Joseph had to embrace his wife and Son in faith. This new family of his was beyond human reason alone. There was no way to make sense of it just by trying to figure it out. He had to face it with faith.

Faith meant that he had to rely on God's voice speaking to him in his conscience. Yes, he was relying on what the angel had told him in the dream, but that was a dream! People can have all sorts of weird dreams! His human tendency would be to question this dream and ask himself if it was real. Was it really from God? Is this child really of the Holy Ghost? How can it be?

All these questions, and every other question that would arise in the mind of St. Joseph, could only be answered with faith. But the good news is that faith gives answers. Faith allows a person to deal with the confusions of life with strength, conviction and certainty. Faith opens the door to peace amidst uncertainty. Eliminate fear and replace it with the joy of knowing that you are following God's will. Faith works and faith is what we all need in life to survive.

Reflect today on the depth of your faith in the face of apparent difficulties. If you feel that God is calling you to take on a challenge in your life right now, follow the example of St. Joseph. Let God tell you, "Don't be afraid!" He told St. Joseph and he talks to you. God's ways are far above our ways, his thoughts far above our thoughts, his wisdom far above our wisdom. God had a perfect plan for St. Joseph's life, and He does it for you too. Walk by faith every day and you will see that glorious plan unfold.

Lord, allow me to walk by faith every day. Allow my mind to rise above human wisdom and see your divine plan in all things. Saint Joseph, pray for me that I will imitate the faith you lived in your own life. Saint Joseph, pray for us. Jesus I believe in you!