杏MAP导航

By Linda Bordoni

Reflecting on the reading of the day from the Gospel of Matthew, 杏MAP导航 Francis highlighted the role of the meek and humble Joseph, whose capacity to listen to and trust in God provides us with a model to be upheld and imitated.

Addressing the pilgrims gathered in St. Peter鈥檚 Square for the Sunday Angelus, the 杏MAP导航 reflected on Joseph, 鈥渁 person apparently in second place, but whose attitude contains the entirety of Christian wisdom.鈥�

Joseph, the 杏MAP导航 recalled, together with John the Baptist and Mary, is one of the characters the liturgy proposes during the season of Advent.

The style of the beatitudes

Of the three, he noted, he is the most modest: 鈥淗e does not preach, he does not speak, but he tries to do God鈥檚 will; and he accomplishes that will in an evangelical style, and in the meek and humble style of the beatitudes.

Joseph鈥檚 poverty, the 杏MAP导航 explained, is typical of those who are aware of their dependence for everything on God in whom they put all of their trust.

Today鈥檚 evangelical narrative, he continued, presents a situation that is humanly embarrassing and conflictual. Joseph and Mary are engaged; they do not yet live together, but she is expecting a baby through God鈥檚 working.

Faced with this surprising news, the 杏MAP导航 said that Joseph is naturally disturbed but, 鈥渋nstead of reacting impulsively or punitively, he seeks a solution that respects the dignity and the integrity of his beloved Mary.鈥�

The Gospel says: 鈥淛oseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly鈥�. In fact, the 杏MAP导航 added, Joseph is well aware that had he repudiated his promised bride, she would have been exposed to grave consequences, even death.

Trust in Mary

鈥淗e has complete trust in Mary whom he had chosen as his wife,鈥� he said. 鈥淗e doesn鈥檛 understand, but he seeks a solution.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis went on to explain that this unexplainable circumstance however leads Joseph to question their relationship, and so, 鈥渨ith great suffering, he decides to separate himself from Mary without causing scandal.鈥�

But the Angel of the Lord appears to him to tell him that this resolution is not that willed by God. Rather, he tells him the Lord is opening before him a new path of union, love and happiness: 鈥淛oseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.鈥� 

Trust in God

At this point, the 杏MAP导航 continued, Joseph shows complete trust in God; he obeys the Angel and takes Mary into his home.

鈥淚t is precisely this unshakable trust in God that allowed him to accept a humanly difficult, and in a certain sense, incomprehensible situation,鈥� he said.

Through faith, 杏MAP导航 Francis explained, Joseph understands that the baby conceived in Mary鈥檚 womb is not his son, but is the Son of God, and he, Joseph, will be His guardian by exercising his earthly paternity.

鈥淭he example of this good, meek and wise man teaches us to lift up our gaze and look beyond, to trust in God鈥檚 surprising logic鈥� which consists in openness towards new horizons, towards Christ and His Word.

鈥淢ay the Virgin Mary, and her chaste spouse, Joseph,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis concluded, 鈥渉elp us to listen to the coming Jesus,  who asks that we  include Him in our plans and in our choices.鈥�

Post Angelus

After praying the Angelus, 杏MAP导航 Francis had words of greeting for some of the groups of pilgrims present in the Square.

In particular, he acknowledged the presence of some delegations of Italian citizens who live in gravely polluted areas, and expressed his hope that their political and civil administrators take action to improve the quality of the air that they breath and attend to their health care needs.

Finally, noting that in three days鈥� time it will be Christmas, 杏MAP导航 Francis said his thoughts go to families who gather together during these days of festivities: those who live far away from their parents and return home, those brothers and sisters who make the effort to be together.

鈥淢ay Christmas be a fraternal time for everyone, one of growth in the faith and of actions of solidarity toward those who are in need,鈥� he said.