Our Advent posts this year have focused on spiritual challenges being offered to us by the readings on the four Sundays. We started with the call from Jesus for us to stay awake. We then looked at the challenges offered to us by John the Baptist and by Mary, the mother-to-be.
The third Sunday called us to be strong and to not give in to fear. I reminded readers of the words from Saint Teresa of Avila: Let nothing disturb you, nothing frighten you, all things are passing … . Finally, on this fourth Sunday, we are challenged to be righteous and to be obedient to the mysterious ways of God.
Matthew’s account of the birth of Jesus describes Joseph as a righteous man who didn’t stoop to the point of exposing a pregnant Mary to public disgrace. Then, in addition, he went further.