Go to Joseph

This December, a series of daily Advent, devotional postings is running from December 1st to December 25^th. Journey beside Mary, the Mother of God, as she waits for the birth of Jesus.

STRENGTH

Scripture:

And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed who was with child (Luke 2:4-5).

Quote of the day:

Go, then to Joseph, and do all that he shall say to you;
Go to Joseph, and obey him as Jesus and Mary obeyed him;
Go to Joseph, and speak to him as they spoke to him;
Go to Joseph, and consult him as they consulted him;
Go to Joseph, and honor him as they honored him;
Go to Joseph, and be grateful to him as they were grateful to him;
Go to Joseph, and love him, as they love him still (St. Alphonsus Liguori).

Song Suggestions:
“Courageous,” by Casting Crowns
“Mighty to Save,” by Laura Story

Questions: Do I ever turn to St. Joseph? Do I imitate St. Joseph?

MIND

Tomorrow, Joseph and Mary will reach Bethlehem.

Joseph’s thoughts are all over the place as he walks forward. He and Mary prayed together this morning. Then, they set out again, enjoying the sunrise in silence as they passed through a major trade route in the Judean desert. They passed through Jericho this afternoon and rested briefly there before setting off toward Jerusalem. Bethlehem is just a couple miles past Jerusalem, the Holy City.

Now, as Joseph walks, he sees an array of travelers walk in different directions. Some toward or away from Jerusalem. Some head east toward the Jordan River. Others are headed northwest toward Samaria—wherever their hometown may be so they can register for the census.

Joseph shakes his head to himself as he contemplates what he is actually doing. This was never a part of his plan! Ever. Leading a pregnant wife through the desert toward Bethlehem. Not to mention a pregnant virgin wife who was carrying Emmanuel! He is leading Emmanuel! Strange how his ancestors passed through this same route, carrying the Ark of the Covenant through the desert, with the sign of the covenant, the commandments inside of it. It is frightening how connected he feels to his ancient Israelite fathers. Here he is, crossing Judea, leading a woman—not a manmade ark—but a woman, who holds the greatest sign of the covenant inside of her. Jesus.

What is happening, Lord? Perhaps the oddest thing about what Joseph is doing is that no one even knows what is happening! Here he is passing travelers from Egypt to Damascus to who knows where else; passing the holy cities his people hold dear, and they have no idea that the Lord of hosts, whom they worship at the Temple in Jerusalem, is passing them inside of a virgin woman, on the back of a bony donkey, and led by a poor Nazarene carpenter.

Perhaps the second oddest thing is that Joseph is the provider and protector of the virgin and child. Yet, Joseph feels like he has hardly done anything at all. Sure, he is leading their journey to Bethlehem, caring for and feeding their little family, but he knows that every little thing he does is not his own strength. It was not him who brought God into the world. It was not him who gave Mary a child. It was not him who decided that Jesus was going to be born in Bethlehem, the place prophesized. It was not him who chose a carpenter to carry the Ark of the Covenant through Judea!

And I don’t even know what will happen when I reach Bethlehem. Joseph thinks. Where we’ll stay, what I’ll do when her time comes…I don’t even know!

But God is the One issuing these odd events. So, Joseph supposes God will continue to do so.

HEART

Joseph doesn’t have one line in the Bible. So, in some senses, it is hard to piece together what he was like. On the other hand, Joseph is a prime example of how actions speak louder than words.

Note that Joseph is “leading” the journey to Bethlehem. Mary sits on the donkey with Jesus in her womb as Joseph leads them. However, Joseph does not even consider himself to be the leader. We get to see that God acts and moves, while Joseph in a sense, is along for the ride. He lets the Spirit move and by God’s power, he moves mountains. He so rids himself of his own will that God’s miraculous will is done.

Now, Joseph still has to work very hard. But he realizes that even his ability to work hard is given by God.

There are two things for us to learn here. The first is that St. Joseph is an awesome saint and though he is silent, he is a leading figure in the Gospels. Let us turn to St. Joseph as Mary and Jesus surely turned to him on their journey to Bethlehem. As we journey beside Mary, let’s give the leading over to St. Joseph.

Second, let us have Joseph’s disposition. That is, let us allow God to work through us. As we lead others, let us remember that God is our lead and Head. We can do nothing without Him. Furthermore, let’s recognize the presence of Jesus living in Mary. Joseph may not have understood all the ins and outs of the incarnation, with Mary as the chosen vessel, but he certainly contemplated and meditated upon it, placing further reliance on God.

SOUL

“O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God.” (December 23rd Vespers Antiphon)
 
Good St. Joseph, pray for me. Work is hard and doing God’s will is hard. Yet, give me your trust and perseverance to follow your foster son. Furthermore, ask God that my eyes be open to His movement and that I recognize it, not as my own power, but His.
 
Mother Mary, I ask that with Joseph as our guide, I ride this journey beside you and Jesus.
 
Mary, teach me how to wait.