Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. (Mt 1, 19-21.24)
Joseph was a righteous man. As the reading presents, he was righteous because he
· Was unwilling to expose her to shame
· Listened to God through the angel in a vision
· Took his wife into his home
Listening to God is an essential element for the change of heart.
Joseph was like any other man but different from most of them. Most of the people put others to shame when they come to know the mistakes / failures of the others. Mistakes of the others are often blown out of proportion and made public and this in return exposes to shame.
Mistakes / failures and shame divide people. One is put against the other or one turns against the other. Division or separation is the natural outcome when we look at the events humanly.
Listening to God (looking at an event in God’s perspective) changes the event into an element in God’s plan. Every event has some purpose in God’s plan.
Listening to God will bring people together. God is for an all inclusive living.
Righteousness of Joseph is in listening to God and putting into practice the demands of God: UNITY.
