Posted on: December 21st, 2025 by St. Stephens Downsview
How did Joseph rise above personal hurt to embrace God’s plans that he could not understand? He opened his heart to new directions and divine purposes in his life. Are you open to God’s unexpected interventions? Find out how this openness can lead to profound spiritual growth and transformation.
I find myself deeply contemplating the roles of the central figures. More specifically, Mary and Joseph offer a remarkable example of how to navigate the tension between logic and faith.
The Unlikely Choice of Mary
Mary’s story is extraordinary. She was chosen for her role long before the onset of events that we now read about. Her unique position in the narrative leaves me in awe. She was due to be married to Joseph when it was discovered she was with child by the Holy Spirit. One cannot discuss this story without mentioning Joseph, who also played a crucial role, requiring his own form of preparation.
Understanding Joseph’s Struggle
Joseph, a silent character in many narratives, inhabited a world where tradition dictated the man as head of the household. Despite this, Jesus was known as the Son of Mary, not Joseph. The text in Matthew offers a glimpse into the complexity of this situation from our modern perspective. Joseph was in the process of betrothal, a period akin to engagement but within which the couple were known as husband and wife, albeit without the full rights or responsibilities.
Joseph grappled with Mary’s pregnancy as inconceivable within his understanding, yet he was a just man, caught in the swirl of emotions and societal norms. Reflecting inward, I sense Joseph’s struggle was familiar. Like him, we often experience the deepest turmoil when wronged or hurt, even when aware our response could be different.
Rising Above Hurt with Compassion
Joseph’s story resonates with me because he transcended personal hurt. He demonstrated compassion over legalism, a lesson that challenges me to be both just and loving. Joseph engaged fully with his internal conflict, incorporating both God and Mary in his decision-making process. His situation required a deliberate choice to act beyond the rules, swallowing pride and focusing on Mary’s welfare.
Embracing Mystery and Meaning
What truly defines Joseph’s narrative is his willingness to integrate God into his decisions. He opted for obedience despite misunderstanding his circumstances, embodying a rational demeanor intertwined with an embrace of life’s mysteries. I admire how Joseph, without any plan to be part of such a divine narrative, opened himself up to this path.
The Lessons of Faith
The story calls us to be like Joseph and Mary, or the shepherds who responded to God’s call with open hearts. It encourages us to break from tradition if needed, opening a pathway for God’s plans which transcend our predictions.
Reflecting on the people from Nazareth who were too fixated on the ordinary, I see a cautionary tale. We risk missing divine guidance by clinging too tightly to control. Yet, I am convinced there’s a vital place for coordinated plans while remaining receptive to unexpected divine opportunities.
Honoring the Call
In every era, we need new Marys and Josephs, visionaries willing to both wrestle and dance with God, adjusting their trajectories as called upon. Joseph of old was just such a person—human, rational, and open—yet exemplary in faith. In accepting his destiny, he exemplifies the strength found in aligning ourselves with a greater purpose.
Joseph’s story teaches me that faith transcends logic, offering a means to navigate life’s unknowns with confidence and grace. His resolve not only changed his life but continues to inspire countless believers, reminding them that divine guidance is always within reach if we, too, are willing to listen and act.
Posted on: December 15th, 2025 by St. Stephens Downsview
While Old Testament theology tied sickness to punishment for sin, Jesus healed and forgave, thereby allowing the healed to attend worship… St Paul’s walk from pharisee to apostle epitomized this transition in our understanding of God’s will.
Some years ago, I embarked on a guided tour advertised as a pilgrimage in the footsteps of St. Paul. These trips can be quite enlightening, providing opportunities to explore places you might not otherwise visit. However, they also come with the caveat of not being able to choose your fellow travelers.
A Journey through History
Our tour commenced in Athens, where we were shuttled to prominent tourist sites before being dropped at the foot of the Acropolis. Ascending to the top, we were met by an English guide who launched into the history of the Parthenon. Her introduction included practical advice: no stone souvenirs, as millions visit annually.
The Parthenon began construction over 400 years before Christ. St. Paul visited, as a tourist. It had also functioned as a mosque and later as a Turkish army ammunition depot, which exploded in 1687. What we see today, is a reconstruction. We observed the marble restoration work—pristine white from repairs, slowly darkening from natural exposure.
The Lesson of Listening
Before we explored further, our guide opened for questions. Predictably, someone asked if pollution darkened the marble, disregarding her previous explanation. When the tour guide finished her answer and turned, the lady who asked the pollution question picked up a stone and put it in her purse.
This incident mirrored a broader human flaw: hearing without truly listening. Reflecting on those who thronged to John the Baptist at the Jordan River, they heard him heralding the Messiah while missing his true message of spiritual transformation.
John’s Expectations vs. Jesus’ Reality
John the Baptist, with his vivid preaching, conceived of the coming Messiah as a figure of fierce justice. Jesus, however, revealed himself differently—welcoming children, mingling with societal outsiders, and embodying forgiving love in stark contrast to John’s firebrand outlook. This must have prompted John’s followers to question Jesus’ identity based on their mismatched expectations.
The Fulfillment of Promise
Upon returning from wilderness temptation, Jesus practically fulfilled prophecy with his reading from Isaiah, claiming the scripture had come true. He inaugurated a new era of healing and liberty, challenging the Old Testament’s association of sickness with sin. Jesus’ actions were manifestations of God’s healing power, breaking cultural barriers by restoring societal participation to sufferers through their healing.
Our Call to Heal
Reflecting on Jesus’ ministry, I see a profound call for us to embody the healing presence in the world. Through compassion and charity, we channel that divine mandate. Jesus reminded us that suffering is not a sin indicator but an invitation to enact God’s works.
Being Instruments of Restoration
As broken people yearning for wholeness, we understand God’s will for us: to engage actively in the healing of others, recognizing their afflictions as opportunities for grace. As we await Christ’s advent, the spirit that empowers us to bless, forgive, and heal is the same that dwells within Jesus.
Conclusion
This pilgrimage spurred reflection on our spiritual journey, urging gratitude for salvific love and the transformative potential it holds. Let us be God’s instruments, extending Christ-like compassion, proclaiming restoration through Jesus’ wounds. As we walk through this Advent season, may we remain steadfast in prayer for a spirit that aligns with Christ’s, embodying his compassion and hope.
In a world where Biblical themes often seep into our everyday speech, many have been misconstrued and lost their original meaning over time. Take, for example, the term “scapegoat.” Most people today associate it with someone bearing blame undeservingly. However, in its original Biblical sense, the scapegoat was the one released, not sacrificed.
The Voice in the Wilderness
Another common misinterpretation lies in the phrase “a voice crying in the wilderness.” Often used to describe someone advocating for an overlooked cause, the original expression is far from one of despair. Instead, in Biblical times, it was a triumphant heralding of the Jews’ return from exile in Babylon, symbolizing hope and moral challenge. This voice of triumph was echoed by John the Baptist in announcing the coming of Christ, delivering a message far deeper than merely gathering followers for a king—it was a call for repentance.
The Role of Repentance
The significance of repentance is so paramount that all four evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, included John the Baptist’s call to repentance at the onset of their Gospels. This heralding served as a preparation for Christ’s message. As I reflect on this, it becomes clear to me that without understanding John’s call, we might fail to grasp the full scope of Jesus’ teachings. Jesus came preaching forgiveness, offering God’s amnesty before the establishment of His kingdom—something even I had to revisit to grasp fully.
Jesus and the Necessity of John’s Message
John the Baptist’s challenges are not to be underestimated. His message of repentance continues to be a permanent necessity within the Church. We need to recognize our sins, understanding that repentance is impossible without divine help. It is only then that Jesus’ offer of forgiveness becomes truly profound. Without this preparation, we might lose the richness of Jesus’ message that emphasizes God’s acceptance despite our shortcomings.
Repentance as Returning to Baptism
When I think of repentance now, I view it as a return to baptism—a renewal within the depths of our faith. It’s not purely a ritualistic act performed on Sundays at a font or altar, but rather, it’s a transformation transcending those settings, reawakening us to live for God’s kingdom daily. Each return to baptism signifies a rebirth, invigorating us with a refreshed mind ready to serve.
Living Repentance
John the Baptizer’s teachings remind us that repentance is not just a Jordan River event—it is one that we carry into every facet of life, whether at the hearth, the marketplace, or the everyday exchanges with others. True repentance means living this new life under Christ daily, reflecting our commitment through acts of selflessness and love.
A Gift to Be Thankful For
Repentance, I’ve come to understand, is a divine gift from God—a gift that opens our eyes to new perspectives, allowing us to give of ourselves to others. It’s a gesture of thanksgiving, not sorrow, that brings us eagerly to the altar, grateful for the chance to partake in this transformative gift.
With every step in reflection and action, I find myself in awe of this beautiful tradition of turning towards God, understanding repentance not just as a duty but as a cherished opportunity to continually renew and transform my life in a way that honors His grace.
Conclusion
Thanks be to God for this extraordinary gift of repentance—a gift that continually shapes us, molds us, and prepares us to embrace life with renewed vigor, self-awareness, and thankfulness. It’s a gift that I, and perhaps you too, didn’t know we needed but realize now how indispensable it truly is.
How did Joseph rise above personal hurt to embrace God’s plans that he could not understand? He opened his heart to new directions and divine purposes in his life. Are you open to God’s unexpected interventions? Find out how this openness can lead to profound spiritual growth and transformation.
