Homily for Advent 4
December 21, 2025
Joseph the Just Man
We read
today about a character who is both central to the story of Jesus, but very
little understood: Joseph, the foster-father of Jesus. But this Gospel reveals
four virtues of this most powerful saint – so let’s unpack the Gospel to see
how Joseph can be an example to all of us.
First,
though, some background. Joseph and Mary were betrothed but not married. But
what does that mean? Betrothal in ancient times was more than an engagement. It
was a semi-binding legal contract that involved a public promise to marry. The
groom would give some payment (called “mohar”) to the bride’s family, often a
gold ring (which is why engagement rings are a thing). Then the groom would
return to his house and spend up to a year expanding it, making it comfortable,
before he brings his bride there and they officially live as man-and-wife.
So
breaking this betrothal was a significant risk – not only was shame involved,
it was also possible that the man would lose his “down payment” and all the
work on his house would be pointless. But this was a unique case. The book of
Deuteronomy specifically states that a woman caught in adultery during
betrothal was subject to being stoned to death, but as the Jews were under
Roman law and could not execute capital punishment, they had to settle for
public shaming and public divorce.
So we
see the first of Joseph’s virtues – his mercy, as he wanted to preserve
as much of Mary’s dignity as possible by divorcing her quietly. It says that he
was a righteous man, which means that he kept the law scrupulously – but he
chose mercy over the judgment that the law proscribed. Here is a man who
realized that the highest law is love and mercy!
Some
doctors of the Church (these are the saints who left us a rich treasury of
writings about God) – such as St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Bernard – have an
interesting interpretation, which I like very much. They say that Joseph did
not think Mary was an adulteress, but rather he felt unworthy to be the
father of the Son of God, and this is why he wanted to divorce her
quietly. I think this interpretation is accurate to who Joseph is – a man
filled with reverence and awe at the mystery of God – a second virtue of
this great man. Who is worthy to become the head of the Holy Family? Who could
be found to be the fitting father to the very Son of God? Joseph was conscious
of his own unworthiness – and thus tried to step back from this marriage.
But
notice how the angel addresses him in the dream – “Joseph, Son of David”!
Remember what noble lineage you have, what kingly stock you descend from! He is
urged to take up the mantle and the mission that he was destined for, since he
descended from the most noble king in Israel’s history – King David, who was
called “a man after God’s own heart.” Isn’t Joseph truly a man after God’s own
heart? So we see this third great virtue of Joseph – his kingly nature, being
called out by the angel.
And the
angel gave him two tasks. First, to take Mary and Jesus into his home – to be
the head of the Holy Family, the leader and protector of the most perfect and
sacred human beings on this earth. And then to give the baby the name “Jesus” –
to name a child, in ancient times, was the prerogative of the father, and it was
an act of spiritual authority. So Joseph was willing to accept the mantle of
leadership on behalf of others – another great virtue of his!
Finally,
we see how quickly he carries out this command – upon waking, he wasted no time
to “take Mary into his home.” He has the virtue of prompt obedience –
not hesitating, waffling, or equivocating – he responded to the Lord with a
prompt heart.
These
four virtues are equally as pertinent to the spiritual life of every Christian.
First, mercy. Our Church is governed by a set of laws called the “Code of Canon
Law”, which has over 1700 laws. But the
final law is the most important – it reads, “The supreme law in the Church is
the salvation of souls.” We, too, should be governed by such a law: The supreme
law is to love God above all things and to love our neighbor in His Name. Of
course, to love means to obey the laws of God and the laws of the Church, but this
obedience must be motivated by love. As Pope St. John XXIII wrote, “In
essential [things], unity; in doubtful matters, liberty; in all things, charity.”
Joseph had compassion on the unwed teenaged Mary – and because he did, he was
blessed with one of the most privileged lives – to raise the Son of God!
Second,
we too ought to be filled with reverential awe. Did you know that St. Francis
of Assisi never became a priest, but remained a deacon, because he had so much
awe for the Eucharist that he considered himself unworthy to celebrate Mass. He
once said, “If I saw an angel and a drunken priest walking down the road, I
would kiss the hands of the priest first before greeting the angel.” Here was
someone who understood the awe-inspiring realities of our Catholic Faith – do
we feel that same awe as we approach our Eucharistic Lord? A Protestant was
once arguing with a Catholic about the Eucharist and asking, “What is it you
believe about the Eucharist?” The Catholic replied, “We believe it is the Body
and Blood of the Lord.” The Protestant challenged, “No, you don’t believe
that.” The Catholic replied, “Yes, we do.” The Protestant said, “No, you don’t,
because if you believed that you would never leave the Church, and approach Him
on your knees.” Joseph was in awe that God had become man in Jesus; are you in
awe that God has become this Eucharistic Host?
Third,
we must accept our vocation and not shy away from its crosses. Joseph had a
mission and, as the son of King David, the strength to live it out. You, too,
have a mission – all of us are called to holiness first and foremost, to become
saints! And this is lived out in your specific vocation: maybe it’s the kids we
are called to raise as faithful Catholics; the elderly parent we’re called to
care for; the neighborhood we are called to witness to; the difficult job we
undertake because it serves others. This is your path to sanctity, and you too
are sons and daughters of a Great King – so take up your mantle and become holy
as He is holy!
Finally,
we too are called to prompt obedience. The Sisters of Life, which is a
religious order of nuns dedicated to the protection of all life and serving
women in crisis pregnancies, have a saying: “See the need, meet the need.” If
they see the trash can overflowing, they don’t wait for the next person to take
care of it. If they see a dirty pot in the sink, it’s their duty to clean it.
This prompt obedience is for the duties of our state in life (don’t
procrastinate on homework, don’t scroll social media when you really need to be
talking to your teenager about dating), for inspirations of the Holy Spirit
(maybe I should pray…oh no, let me rearrange my sock drawer instead), and for
our vocations. I went to seminary with a professional soccer player named Chase
Hilgenbrinck (now Fr. Chase). He played on the New England Revolution pro
soccer team, but knew God was calling him to the priesthood. He kept putting it
off, thinking that when his soccer career came to an end, then he would
become a priest. But one day he was reading a spiritual book and came across
the line: “delayed obedience is disobedience”. It hit him like a ton of bricks
– he left the game of soccer and became a priest (and now uses his soccer
talents to spread the Gospel!)
It’s no
wonder that Joseph is the patron of the Universal Church, called the Terror of
Demons and the most powerful in Heaven besides Our Lord and Our Lady. His
virtues are beautiful – mercy, reverence, embracing his vocation, prompt
obedience. And his virtues can be imitated by all Christians!
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