Home

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

“But just when he had resolved to do this, 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, for he will save his people from their sins.”   The great feast of Christmas is approaching very quickly, and the Maronite Liturgy, this Sunday, wishes for us to consider the severe trial of St. Joseph before the birth of Christ.  Early in the papacy of Pope Francis, he drew attention to an image of St. Joseph that he kept on his desk.  He brought it with him from Argentina.  The image was of St. Joseph lying on his side and sleeping.  Pope Francis playfully remarked that he would often put his intentions, written on small notes of paper under the statue.  He liked to think of how close St. Joseph was to God and how God communicated to him even in his dreams.  When we enter this Sunday’s liturgy, it is good to contemplate St. Joseph and his complete availability to God’s plan.  As soon as St. Joseph discovered what God wanted, he immediately rose and did it.  What I propose today is that the will of God is not usually difficult to discern, it is enough for most of us to do our daily duty and to do what makes sense.  When it comes to preparing for marriage, the time of courtship and commitment makes perfect sense.  It is perfectly in accordance with reason.

+Selim Sfeir

Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus