Friday of the Third Week of Advent

Friday of the Third Week of Advent

Today’s Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25

Joseph was a righteous and faithful man, and he had a plan. He was in the midst of a difficult situation, and he “had in mind to divorce Mary quietly.” He resolved to do what he thought was best to protect Mary from any shame or cruelty.

God had a different plan for Joseph.

What plan does God have for our lives? What is God calling us to do or to become? How does God communicate that plan? These are not easy questions to answer.

God may not send an angel to us in a dream, as happened to Joseph, but God is revealing a plan for us through our experiences, our interactions with others, our struggles, and our triumphs. We communicate with God in prayer and through the Holy Spirit. We need to be receptive to God’s call in our lives, and have Joseph’s courage to act in accordance with God’s plan, rather than our own.

Like Joseph, we might fear the uncertainty of the future. We might fear pain and suffering, not being accepted, being alone, or trying and failing, but God gives us the same message Joseph received: “Do not be afraid.” God goes before us always—Joseph was told that the child was to be called “Immanuel” or “God with us.”

We will never be left to follow our vocation alone. In this season of Advent, let us be filled with joy instead of fear. God will always be with us.


Copyright Kelly O’Brien

Kelly O’Brien is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame class of 2011.

This reflection comes from FaithND’s Daily Gospel Reflection series, which can be found here.