Do Not Fear!

The first of Joe’s joys (say that ten time fast!) is the message of the Angel to settle the sorrow of his doubt around Mary’s pregnancy. Matthew relates to us that the Angel said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home...” (Matthew 1:20). 

Some time ago, I came across an article that Pope St John Paul II wrote entitled “A Meditation on Giveness”. It is a worthwhile read for sure, and I can not recommend it highly enough, but if you cannot read the whole thing, at least read this short section where he opens up the message of the Angel to Joe:

I think that every man, whatever his station in life or his life’s vocation, must at some point hear those words which Joseph of Nazareth once heard: “Do not be afraid to take Mary to yourself” (Mt 1:20). “Do not be afraid to take” means do everything to recognize that gift which she is for you. Fear only one thing: that you try to appropriate that gift. That is what you should fear. As long as she remains a gift from God himself to you, you can safely rejoice in all that she is as that gift. What is more, you ought even to do everything you can to recognize that gift, to show her how unique a treasure she is. 

I think Joe really recognized the gift that Mary was to him, and it was exactly this recognition that caused him fear. How often we think, "This sounds too good to be true!" when someone makes a tremendous offer. We recoil in fear that perhaps it is not. Joe received and cherished God's gift of Mary, as I'm sure that Mary received and cherished God's gift of Joe to her.