Fifth Sunday of Lent
When some “Greeks” wanted to see Jesus, Andrew and Philip tried to facilitate a meeting. Jesus used the opportunity to explain to them that his “hour had come.” It was time for him to lay down his life, like a seed that is planted only to rise to new life. Jesus was “troubled” by all that lay in store for him, but he knew his purpose, and he was confident that God was with him and would bring him to glory.
When the angel spoke to Joseph in dreams and told him to take Mary as his wife, he too, was deeply troubled by his situation and had decided to “divorce her quietly.” (Matthew 1:19) But he came to understand that his hour had come as well. It was time for him to cooperate with God’s plan, to accept God’s purpose for him, just as Mary had done, when she acknowledged being a handmaid of the Lord and responded “Let it be done.” (Luke 1:38) This must have involved some loss and dying for Joseph; he had to let go of any plans for a normal married life with Mary, but his choice did indeed “produce much fruit” for us. (John 12:24)
Are you growing in a sense of God’s purpose for you this Lent? Does this “trouble” you in any way, or cause you anxiety? Is it time for you to act? Maybe St. Joseph can walk with you, to be your guide, as one who learned to let go of his plans but found that God’s plans for him were very good indeed.