“Joseph, 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.” - Mt 1:20
The past ten years of my life have been filled with more unexpected twists and turns than I could have ever imagined. There is no way that I could have seen myself moving to Los Angeles (twice), applying to seminary (and not entering), moving home (twice), becoming a teacher, becoming a brewer, and moving to Boston. Yet, when I think of all that I have encountered, it pales in comparison to the whirlwind that Joseph must have been swept up in when he met Mary.
Though we know little about Joseph save what we have from scripture, he was probably at least ten years older than Mary. He was a simple tradesman with a simple life that quickly became turned upside down. As somebody who has been wrapped up in the dizziness of my 20s, I have an immense respect and admiration for Joseph. He was able to take the turmoil and messiness of God and move with it. I, instead, tend to fight the mess that is thrown in front of me. Rather than sitting down and sorting through and seeing the gift God set in front of me, often I run or discard it with the rest of the messiness of my life.
Lord, on this solemnity in the midst of Lent, help me to celebrate the unexpected turns that you place in front of me. Give me what I need to embrace what you have offered me, and like Joseph, to love these gifts with my whole heart.
Reflected by Matt Keppel
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