Sermon Video: An honorable father for Jesus - Matthew 1:18-20,24

We a significant amount about Mary from the Gospels, and the Church has embraced and emphasized her role over the centuries, but what about Joseph?  After the visit to Jerusalem when Jesus is 12, he disappears from the narrative, what do we know about him?  The most significant passage is Joseph's response to the news about Mary's pregnancy before he receives the information in the dream that the child is from God.  Even though Joseph was a man who scrupulously followed the Law, he was not compelled by it to humiliate Mary publicly when he brought their betrothal to an end, and he had no desire to do so.  There was something in Joseph's character, perhaps influenced by his history, or maybe simply a manifestation of his kind heart, that put Mary's interest above any question of his ego, even though he had every reason to believe that she had wronged him.  This is the man that God chose to be the father of Jesus Christ. 
When will we face life defining choices and moments?  Will we be up to the task?  If we live by the same kindness and compassion that Joseph demonstrated here, we will be building the character and habits that will enable us (by God's grace and the Holy Spirit) to likewise rise to the occasion.

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