Daily Mass Homily: Tuesday, December 18th, 2012

            In the Advent and Christmas seasons it might be easy to overlook the important role St. Joseph had.  After all, he was the only sinner in the Holy Family.  Imagine being married to a sinless spouse—they would be right all the time!

            Yet Joseph exemplifies three qualities from which we may learn.  First, he was able to discern God’s voice in His life.  Joseph was able to do this, not because he had telepathic abilities or magical powers, but because he was righteous.  He spent decades reading from the Torah and in prayer to God.  Thus, he was able to listen to the angel in his dream and discern God’s voice.

            Second, Joseph’s faith was second only to Mary’s.  Joseph was told that Mary would conceive without his—or any other man’s—help.  Stop and think for a moment just what this means.  It was only through a profound faith that Joseph could believe the words of the angel and become the protector of Mary and her baby.

            Finally, Joseph was a chaste man.  Mary is ever-virgin, meaning that Joseph never had sexual relations with her, even though they were married.  He lived this way seeing the greater good of Mary’s virginity over his own desires.

            As Advent draws to a close and we usher in the Christmas season, let’s not forget the important role Joseph had to play in the Christmas story.