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Tuesday Advent 3
St. Luke Institute
December 18, 2012
A PERFECT SITUATION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid
to take Mary you wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that
this child has been conceived in her."
Ø Family life is not
a Thomas Kincade Christmas card
Ø Many of our issues
and challenges can't be solved with Father Knows Best-like sitcom simplicity
Ø And Martha
Stewart's idea of domestic perfection seems to be located in another galaxy far
away from our own reality
AN IMPERFECT
SITUATION +++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø In Matthew's
Gospel, Jesus’ birth is the cause of great turmoil and scandal to Joseph and
Mary
Ø Mary's unexpected
pregnancy puts a great strain on the still new relationship between the Mary
and her fiancé
Ø But, with faith in
God and trust in one another, the couple manages to work through it and create
a loving home for one another and the child
JOSEPH HELPS CREATE
HOPE ++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø Every family knows
some kind of situation that causes tension, disappointment, hurt and
estrangement
Ø Often holidays only
exacerbate those situations
Ø We’re invited today
to resolve that Joseph will be who we will emulate for our family this
Christmas
Ø That we will make
efforts to let go of our hurts
Ø Make efforts to
resolve the anger
Ø And with God’s
grace think of Joseph as a member of our small group sharing his consternation,
hurts and anger, humbly yet joyfully
CONCLUSION ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø Today’s Advent
prayer?
Ø That Joseph may be
a source of new insights, reconciliation, and welcome for ourselves as
Christmas approaches
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
