Monday, December 12- Doubting Joseph?

Read: Matthew 1:18-21  http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=190698680

          Scripture does an amazing job of showing us real people--people who fail God in every way imaginable...and people who doubt. There's Abraham and Sarah, Job, Zechariah, Thomas and yes, it seems, even Joseph, husband of Mary, earthly father of Jesus.
          In today's Scripture lesson we find Mary telling Joseph that she was pregnant and that the pregnancy was a miracle somehow made possible by the Holy Spirit. How did Joseph react? He doubts. He was so sure that Mary was making up the story that he planned to quietly break off the engagment and have nothing more to do with Mary.
           Then an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream telling him not to be afraid. Mary was telling him the truth. Joseph chose to believe Mary and to follow the directions received from God's messenger. He took Mary as his wife. That decision changed the course of his life and the life of the child he would raise as his own.
           How do we deal with doubt? How do we overcome doubt when it gets in the way? We have to remain open to the possibilities, as Joseph did. I find it helpful to prayerfully read and reflect on Scripture. Having others whose council you trust, who will listen and help you discern is critical.  Most of all we are called to pray. Nothing sets our hearts straight like prayer. In prayer, we open our hearts and invite God to show us The Way.
           As we walk with Joseph this week, I invite you to look deep within and find those places where doubt might be getting in the way. Give those doubts to God. And hear the Good News, the Light of Christ shines in the darkness that we might know the way!

          Advent Blessings,

          Rich