| "NO" is a really difficult word to hear, especially when we have our hearts set on something, but even a "NO" can bear such great fruit.
We can only imagine what was going through Joseph’s head when Mary told him that she was pregnant with the Savior of the world. Having gone through the challenging beauty of being engaged and planning a wedding, I can definitely imagine clouds of confusion, fear, and frustration starting to brew in Joseph’s heart.
It’s clear that Joseph cared for Mary, enough so that, though his desires and expectations for his future seemed dashed and in ruins, he didn’t want to expose her to public disgrace. I imagine him going to bed that night so broken-hearted and confused, yet God had so much more in store.
In a dream God sent an angel to clear things up saying "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 1:20) but even after such an amazing encounter I imagine there being still some hurt and confusion in his heart, but yet, feeling so vulnerable, he placed his trust in God. In doing this Joseph responded with a "YES" when God said "NO" to Joseph’s expectation for his for his future. When God said "NO" to Joseph and Mary being physically intimate in their marriage He was saying "YES" to an even greater intimacy with Him through their marriage. Joseph was saying "YES" to chastity, to love beyond the boundaries of physical and because of this "YES" he was given the privilege and honor to witness the Son of God as He grew up. I can
only imagine that even through fleeing to Egypt, losing Jesus in the temple, and all the struggles that came, Joseph’s heart was full of true joy.
God knows the depths of our hearts, simply because He made them. He desires for us to be truly happy and sometimes that means saying "NO" to our expectations or our desires so we can make room for a deeper love and greater things! Lord, help us to know when you say "NO," You’re really asking us to say "YES" to so much more!
Saint Joseph - pray for us!
This reflection is written by Jeremy Bobak
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