Do Not Be Afraid!

March 19, 2012

Solemnity of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary

Patron of the Universal Church

2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16 . Rom 4,13.16-18.22

Mt 1,16.18-21.24a

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We have been afraid a number of times. I do not need to look back since each one of us know those certain times when we did get frightened because of something left undone, or something done right yet mistakenly failed, or a particular confusion in choosing the right things. Every time we feel this emotion, we usually palpitate. Our heart beats faster, we sweat more, and we actually go wild. 

Being afraid or frightened is one of the usual negative emotions that we experience and, though we are used to it, we still do not know how to cope up with it. While some seek advice from the older ones which help them do the right things, others take things in their hands and bring up an end to their anxiety by putting an end to their lives either slowly (drugs, excessive smoking and drinking and others) or quickly (suicide).

Fear is the same emotion that Joseph experienced upon hearing that Mary is with child. He haven't touched her yet, and now she's pregnant! We know that this happened through the Holy Spirit, but for Joseph this is a very deep and sensitive issue, and the Holy Spirit is a very impossible excuse. Yes, there is a prophecy and the people are hoping that the Messiah may come ASAP, but not through this way, as he might had thought of it.

Joseph fears much and he doesn't know what should do. He may be cited for being ignorant of whatever happened to Mary. Further, Joseph also fears for his wife, for this shame and disgrace is equivalent to death for her. He is in the crossroads, yet he must take a road.

Being an upright man, he decided that he will divorce her quietly. He thought this is the best thing to do, since he couldn't think of having Mary stoned to death because of him. Everything will be alright, perhaps, if he does things silently. Since it was his honor which was at the line, he must save himself first, thus his decision.

But lo, an Angel visited Him in a dream and said, Joseph, Son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home! ... She will give birth to a child and you shall name him Jesus. 

He woke up and everything changed. In all obedience he took Mary as his wife and accepted the responsibility of being an Adoptive Father to the Savior. He worked and provided everything for his family. Though it took him sometime to absorb these things, still he opened himself up to God's providence and he was blessed for this. His fear was changed into total faith, and this led him to something better.

This is Joseph's story, a story of fear and faith, of doubt and trust.

We have always been afraid of anything and everything which was set against our desires and wants. We fear that our parents may know our failing grades, that our special someone may not accept our personality, that we may be ridiculed in front of many people. We have so many fears and anxieties that it covers our world more than we think it is.

But we should not end in fear! Sometimes we need to dig deeper and see God's will unfolding in every situation of our life. There is no other way of letting go of our fears than entrusting it to the Lord, knowing that he will guide us along the way. We entrust our anxieties to Jesus and discover God's wonders working instantly in our lives. It takes belief and trust for us to realize that something better is indeed happening in our lives which was once covered by fear.

Look at Joseph! He felt afraid, just like we do. Like us, he didn't know what to do when a grave situation was shown to him. Like us, he tried to take things in his own hands because he thought of himself over everything else. 

But better look at Joseph when he opened himself to God's will! He didn't let his fear rule once the divine reality was revealed to him. He showed his commitment to Mary and Jesus until the hour of his death. He was never disappointed after he followed God's commands. He just trusted God and every good thing came.

We are always afraid, but do we set time to stop, listen to God's voice in our heart and follow what it dictates? There is no other way we can come to this point than through an intimate and sincere conversation with God. A good prayer life is one great way of appreciating God's voice and entrusting to him our fears and anxieties. 

Do not be afraid! As we celebrate today's solemnity, may we be guided by Saint Joseph in knowing what is the Lord's will for us. He once accepted God's will which dispersed all the fear in his heart; let us indeed come to his guidance for us to understand God's providence. Thus, every fear in our heart shall be swept away, and every blessing will come in our lives.

O dearest Saint Joseph, I consecrate myself to your honor and give myself to you, that you may always be my father, my protector and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me a greater purity of heart and fervent love of the interior life. After your example may I do all my actions for the greater glory of God, in union with the Divine Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. O Blessed Saint Joseph, pray for me, that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death.

Amen.