Seeking A Heart Like Joseph’s

My parents gave me the name Mary Clare in honor two of great saints and most likely with the belief this name would shape their daughter’s future character. They hoped I would grow up to be a woman of faith like Mary … and perhaps be a bit feisty like Clare, who did after all, defy her parents and ran off to do her own thing. (Um, Mom, Dad, might want to rethink the middle name idea).

Mary. The Angel comes to her and she immediately says yes to God. Her response: “Let it be done to me according to your will”. So pure, so accepting, so humble and trusting.

So very beyond me.

But Joseph, now, here is someone I can relate to! His plans of marriage and a family were crushed in a horrible way when it became known Mary was pregnant. He had to wrestle with an incredible dilemma. What to do? He questioned. He sweat. There was no immediate answer to the unthinkable situation he faced.

He didn’t know what to do. He didn’t have all the answers.

Surely he knew the danger she was in. In biblical times, people caught committing adultery were stoned to death – but he kept her secret to himself out of fear for Mary’s life. He turned to God, but he still WRESTLED about what he should do.

Saint Joseph, a man after my own heart.