Jesus is “God-with-us.”  This name makes known that the one who alone is holy is with us who are not holy; he wants to justify us.

The angel of Joseph’s dream seems to justify Mary, to show her not guilty, to say that she has been true to him.  But there are those who think that it is Joseph that the angel seeks to justify (see Comentarios al Evangelio).  That is to say, the just man has to be even more just, more conformed to God’s plans.

Joseph, they say, knows, even before dreaming, that her bride-to-be has conceived while remaining a virgin.  Hence, he does not doubt her faithfulness.  What troubles him is that he does not feel fit to be the father of her Son by the Holy Spirit.

Clearly, then, Joseph is one of those who are lowly and downhearted who tremble when God, awesome and drawing, speaks.  He is one of those God has chosen; they admit that they are not capable nor worthy (Ex 3, 11; Is 6, 5-6; Jer 1, 4-6).  Hence, they do not want God to call them.  Joseph feels as Peter and the centurion will feel later.

And Joseph sees that he is not only not worthy before God but also before Mary.  His bride-to-be conceiving by the power of the Holy Spirit, a mystery one cannot speak of, grasp and fathom, leaves the bridegroom fearful and wondering.  He does not think, then, that he can bear to be with her.  Will not Elizabeth feel so later?  Be it as it may, Joseph wants to pull back and thinks of leaving Mary.  She can be his no more; she is God’s.  Also, since he is a man, he cannot be her Son’s father, for only God can.

To justify those who are not just nor worthy

But then the angel appears to the one who doubts and is troubled.  He tells the one who doubts to get over his fear and to live with his wife-to-be.  He trusts him, besides, so that he gives him the task to give a name to Mary’s baby.  So, Joseph is established, by the law and by the Holy Spirit, as Mary’s Son’s true father.  And that is why on Joseph’s answer depends, too, that Jesus saves us.  That Jesus is God-with-us, who is close and intimate, lowly, and welcomes and respect all (see Está con nosotros).

And God also calls us by his “pure mercy,” though “we are weak” (SV.EN IX:284).  He calls us, yes, to work with him, as Joseph, in saving us.  For on our ”yes” depends, too, that Jesus may save us, that God be with us.

Lord Jesus, you seek to save and justify the little ones, those who are not just nor worthy, even by giving up your body and shedding your blood.  Grant that we be true and believable witnesses of your being with us.

18 December 2022
Fourth Sunday of Advent (A)
Is 7, 10-14; Rom 1, 1-7; Mt 1, 18-24