We have arrived at the end of another year. In a few days, we will be celebrating the Birth of the Lord.  It is a time for reflection and for a possible change of life. How did you live your faith during this past year? Was it a successful time for you? Did months pass so quickly that you did not see the end of the year coming? Also can it be that you were giving thanks for the end of this year in the hopes that 2014 may be much better? 
Pick up your Bible, in the Gospel of Matthew 1:18-24. Read this passage more than once. Make a moment of silence, allowing this word to fall in your heart. It is an intensely important moment for you are meditating on the Word of God!
The Gospel shows how the newness of the birth of Jesus caught Joseph by surprise. Without seeking to understand what happened he soon made his decision, he allowed his humanity to react defensively. In his thoughts, Joseph decided how all should be resolved, therefore, an angel appeared to him in a dream and said to Him: “Joseph, Son of David, do not be afraid of receiving Mary, your spouse, what generates in her comes from the Holy Spirit.” When the adoptive father of Jesus awoke, he put aside all his decisions and obeyed the announcement of the angel. Joseph had the courage to change!

Many times, we impede the will of God realizing itself in our lives because we do not accept that our projects can be altered, that our decisions may be respected and even we may fight with God when He does not obey us. As if He has to consult us to know whether or not He may or  may not change the projects that we have planned for our life or for this year as it comes to an end. 

Can it be that in your evaluation of life, in this year of 2013, you may have fought with God and with all in order that your opinion and your decisions may take precedence. However, the happenings and the acts of  your history will drive you to other roads. We can only welcome that which we cannot change! See that I am not inviting you to a passive conformism. Therefore, there exists many situations that are greater than us! St. Joseph could not be an obstacle to the birth of Christ, however, he welcomed that reality and was happy. 

Human and Christian maturity resides in the fact that we will touch a certain level of growth in that we always need to re-evaluate life and embrace the newness that visits us (some very good, others not so pleasant.) St. Joseph is in the Gospel, teaching us that upon being capable of pondering and thinking twice before acting, is a sign of virtue and not of weakness. Acting in the heat of problems always generates more problems. It is better to be thinking, meditating and hearing God create the space necessary to generate a new response for the challenges that life brings us. 

Helped by intercession of St. Joseph, we make these days of the last month of 2013, a re-evaluation of our life and of the decisions that we plan to make. We allow the light of Christ, that is born, reveal to us the best roads. You are not alone, He is with you, Emmanuel  – God with us. 

Fr Fabrizio Andrade

Portuguese Version
From the Canção Nova Magazine