Today’s Gospel story lets us wrestle with the demons of doubt that overwhelmed Joseph concerning Mary. Waking from his dream, Joseph, the faithful servant, did as the angel instructed and received Mary into his home as his wife.
Joseph stands in a long tradition of faith that includes Abraham, who trusted against all the evidence that God would give him an heir and a bountiful future, and Moses, who showed unwavering faith as he faced down the mighty Pharaoh and led the people in a forty year long quest to find the Promised Land.
All of this faith climaxes in Jesus, the promised Messiah.
