In the Gospel, Joseph is portrayed first and foremost as a just and righteous man whose commitment to the Law and to compassion shapes his initial response to Mary’s unexpected pregnancy; rather than exposing her to public shame or pursuing a harsh legal penalty, he plans to divorce her quietly, balancing justice with mercy in a culture where betrothal carried the force of marriage. When an angel of the Lord appears to him in a dream, addressing him as “son of David” and revealing that Mary’s child is conceived by the Holy Spirit and will be the Savior of God’s people, Joseph humbly relinquishes his own plans and obeys God’s instruction, taking Mary as his wife and thus aligning himself with the unfolding divine plan.

This narrative highlights the faithful obedience of Joseph: though he contemplates his dilemma in waking moments, it is in sleep through a divinely sent dream that God clarifies the path forward, showing that God’s care and guidance transcend human uncertainty. Joseph’s readiness to surrender his will for God’s will—waking and doing exactly as the angel commanded — demonstrates that true righteousness is not merely legal conformity but responsive trust, embodying God’s mercy and participating in the fulfillment of the messianic promise in Jesus, “God with us.” Joseph is a powerful model for us at this time of year. He is a model of commitment which our culture desperately needs and a reminder to us to renew those commitments that shape our life and our soul.

~ Fr. Bryan

A RIGHTEOUS RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

The gospel highlights the humble obedience of St. Joseph to God’s plan as it was revealed to him through a dream, his righteous act of choosing mercy when he was in doubt, and his discernment through interior silence. To emulate these values is a struggle for me as a Christian, for I tend to judge first instead of choosing compassion and make rash decisions instead of discerning. Most of the time, relying on my wits instead of making decisions and plans rooted in God’s word does not give me the interior peace I was hoping to get by doing things my way. At some point in our lives,
trusting God’s providence, especially when making major decisions or going for a leap of faith, could be challenging, especially when we’re confused or torn between two difficult choices. But for St. Joseph, he chose to properly discern instead of acting on it right away; hence, he received a clear message from God.

Choosing compassion and mercy instead of criticism or taking offense are virtues that Christians shall embody. I used to think of this as a weak approach, but as I grew in faith, I realized that these embodied the love of God. To be merciful and compassionate towards our neighbor instead of gossiping or judging harshly is an act of love that protects the dignity of the individual, which is what St. Joseph did for Mary.

Through the gospel, I understood that to be in a right relationship with God is to choose mercy, compassion, discernment, and obedience in silence, just as St. Joseph did.

~ Judy

AM I BRAVE ENOUGH TO OBEY?

When I read Matthew 1:18–24, I don’t see a perfect or fearless Joseph, I see someone trying to do the right thing while carrying confusion and disappointment. His life didn’t unfold the way he expected, and that’s something I deeply relate to. There have been plenty of times when I thought I had things figured out, only for God to nudge my life in a totally different direction.

Joseph’s story reminds me that faith often starts right in the middle of our mess and uncertainty, not after everything makes sense.

What moves me most is how Joseph responds. He doesn’t get angry or demand answers, and he doesn’t let his pride take over. He listens. He obeys. And he chooses love even when it’s uncomfortable. That feels very human. His obedience isn’t flashy or dramatic, it’s quiet and costly. It makes me think about how difficult it can be to trust God, especially when it means letting
go of control, or putting our reputation and comfort on the line.

This gospel helps me believe that God truly is “Emmanuel,” present in our ordinary struggles and silent decisions. God doesn’t wait for us to be fully confident or ready; He meets us where we are. Like Joseph, we’re invited to move forward even with unanswered questions, trusting that God is working behind the scenes. In choosing love, mercy, and obedience, one step at a time, we allow God to enter our story and shape it into something greater than we imagined.

~ Linn

PRAYER TO START THE WEEK

Lord, please teach us to be righteous like St. Joseph—not just in following what is right, but in choosing mercy and kindness. When we face confusion or hurt, help us pause, listen, and act with love. Give us the grace to trust Your work even when we do not fully understand it. Amen.