Joseph: A Pure Heart

But just when he has resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

                                                                   Matthew 1: 20-21

In Matthew 1: 18-24, the angel announces to Joseph that Mary is to have a son that would save the world from their sins. However, before he was graced with the news, he noticed that Mary was with child, though they had not yet married. Joseph was afraid to accept Mary as his wife for fear of ridicule and disgrace. However, the angel told him to dismiss these fears, for the child had come by the blessing of God and through the power of the Holy Spirit. So, Joseph accepts Mary as his wife.

Throughout the reading, the term “accepted her as his wife” or took her as his wife” is used multiple times. So, one of the themes of the reading is acceptance. While Joseph was hesitant to accept Mary because of what appeared to be sin (but it wasn’t), he eventually came to accept her, despite any attention that it may draw.

The Catechism states in paragraph 2519:

 The "pure in heart" are promised that they will see God face to face and be like him. Purity of heart is the precondition of the vision of God. Even now it enables us to see according to God, to accept others as "neighbors"; it lets us perceive the human body - ours and our neighbor's - as a temple of the Holy Spirit, a manifestation of divine beauty.

The Core Value of Archbishop Hoban High school that most relates to this passage is Discipline.  Discipline is the first reason that causes Joseph to second guess staying with Mary.  Joseph is only trying to obey the laws of marriage when he considers a quiet divorce from Mary. When he is told to not divorce Mary and to support her throughout her life with this child, Joseph is challenged with discipline. Joseph does what he is told with respect and honor. As it is said at Hoban, “We challenge each student in mind, spirit, and body.”, and Joseph is challenged in the exact same manner. Discipline brings success, and Joseph would have not been prosperous.

Prayer of Trust

My Lord God,

I have no idea where I am going.

I do not see the road ahead of me.

I cannot know for certain where it will end,

Nor do I really know myself.

And the fact that I think that I am following

Your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you,

Does in fact please you.

And I hope I have the desire in all that I am doing,

hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.

And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the

right road though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust you always though I may

seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.

I will not fear for you are ever with me and

you will never leave me to face my troubles alone.

Thomas Merton