To fear or to trust?

Listening to the Spirit

Father, send your Holy Spirit to guide us during these last days of preparation for the coming of your Son.
Help us to trust in you and face our fears.
Our life is yours, may your will be done.

Amen

Listening to the Word

Matthew 1:18:24

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.

When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.

Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “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. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”

When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

Reflection

We’re a few days to begin the Christmas season, then it’s good to ask ourselves if we are already prepared for the coming of the Lord. The Word of God helps us for our last days of Advent preparation by listening about St. Joseph’s dream, who has an important role in Jesus’ birth. The angel Gabriel appeared to Joseph and told him to no be afraid, and to take Mary as his wife. What were the fears of St. Joseph? Why the angel Gabriel asked him to no be afraid?

Everybody experiences fear. It is a natural emotion and response to any situation which seems to threaten or cause harm. Behind of fear is the thinking of something bad can happen, it’s a mechanism for self-protection or defense. The problem is when we allow anxiety and worry caused by fear to lose trust in God and His providence.

Fear can lead us into acting irrationally and having bad decisions in life, for example, Joseph decided to divorce Mary, but he changed his decision until he received the angel’s message. When he knew the will of God, he trusted Him and took Mary as his wife. Joseph’s fear was transformed to trust as the Lord revealed His plan to him.

Trust in the Lord, and do His will.