Joseph the model of righteousness

Jer. 23:5-8, Mt. 1:18-24. The status of Joseph and Mary in today's Gospel is the second stage of a three-stage Jewish marriage process. The first is the engagement which takes place when the couple is young. The second is betrothal as they reach marriageable age. At their second stage, Mary is already seen as the wife of Joseph though without the right of the married people. It was at this stage that Mary was found with a child.

For this singular act, death is the penalty before the Angel of God revealed to Joseph that the child to be born of Mary is the Son of God. He dared to go against the dictates of the law and decided to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit and that the Child to be born through Mary was the fulfilment of God's promise to humankind and yet He participated in God's plan. Like Mary, Joseph is a model of faith for us. He is a faithful witness and servant of God's unfolding plan of redemption. Today, we are challenged to always be ready to believe in the promises of God, even when we are faced with perplexity and what seems like insurmountable problems.

May the Lord show us His mercy in times of our misery and may no evil desires prevail over us so that His glory and love may dwell in our hearts! Amen!! Good morning, have a wonderful day!!!