Today, we honor Saint Joseph, the husband of Mary and the earthly father of Jesus. Joseph was chosen by God to protect and care for the Holy Family, a role that required great trust and obedience. Though he and Mary were betrothed, they had not yet begun their married life together until Mary was visited by an angel. She was told that she would conceive the Son of God through the Holy Spirit, and she humbly accepted this divine calling. But how could she explain such a miraculous and bewildering situation to Joseph?

At that moment, I imagine Joseph’s heart was heavy with confusion. He must have wrestled with sorrow and questions, unsure how to make sense of the news. His love for Mary and his deep faith put him in a difficult place. The Gospel tells us Joseph initially planned to quietly end their engagement to spare Mary from public disgrace, showing his compassion and commitment to protecting her. Amidst this internal battle, God intervened. In a dream, an angel reassured Joseph, telling him that the child Mary carried was conceived by the Holy Spirit and that he was to name the child Jesus, for He would save His people. Joseph’s faith and obedience were immediately evident as he trusted God’s message and took Mary into his home as his wife.

Joseph’s response is a powerful example of his unwavering trust in God. Though he didn’t have all the answers, he trusted in God’s plan. He surrendered his understanding, believing that God would guide him through the unknown.
As we reflect during this Lenten season, let us pray for a heart that trusts God’s will, even when it seems beyond our comprehension. May we, like Joseph, embrace God's plans with courage, faith, and gratitude, knowing that His wisdom far exceeds our own.