Homily for the 4th Sunday of Advent, Year A
Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalm 24; Rom 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-24
“Do not be afraid to take Mary into your home.”
FRIENDS, we stand today at the very edge of Christmas. The waiting for Advent is almost complete, and the Church places before us a quiet, almost hidden figure: Saint Joseph. No recorded words of his are preserved in Scripture, yet his silence speaks volumes. In Joseph, God shows us that holiness often unfolds not through grand speeches or public acclaim, but through faithful obedience in moments of deep uncertainty.
The Gospel tells us that Joseph is a just man. In the Scriptures, to be “just” does not mean merely law-abiding; it means someone whose heart is aligned with God’s heart. Joseph’s justice is revealed not in rigid judgment, but in mercy. When he discovers that Mary is with child, his world collapses. His dreams, his plans, his understanding of what is right—everything is shaken. And yet, even in confusion and pain, Joseph chooses compassion. He resolves to divorce Mary quietly, to protect her dignity, even at the cost of his own. How many times do we find ourselves there—confused, hurt, uncertain—yet called to choose mercy rather than self-protection?
It is precisely there, in Joseph’s vulnerability, that God speaks. “Do not be afraid.” These are the words God speaks whenever He is about to do something new. Fear closes us in; faith opens us to mystery. Joseph is invited to trust not in his understanding, but in God’s promise. The child conceived in Mary is not a mistake, not a scandal, but the work of the Holy Spirit. God is acting—quietly, humbly, in ways that overturn expectations.
Joseph’s greatness lies in this: he awakens and does what the angel commands. No argument. No demand for proof. No delay. He takes Mary into his home, and in doing so, he takes God’s plan into his life. Joseph becomes the guardian of the Redeemer, the protector of the Virgin, the silent strength of the Holy Family.
Advent reminds us that God still comes this way—through interruptions, through unexpected responsibilities, through situations we did not choose. Emmanuel, God-with-us, does not arrive on our terms. He comes into the messiness of real life: into strained relationships, uncertain futures, broken dreams, and fragile hopes. And He asks, as He asked Joseph, not for perfection, but for trust.
Joseph teaches us that faith is not the absence of fear, but the courage to act despite it. Love, too, is not always dramatic; often it is quiet perseverance, staying when it is easier to walk away, believing when understanding fails.
As we prepare for Christmas, we are invited to become like Joseph: to make room for Christ, even when His presence unsettles us. To welcome Him into our homes, our relationships, our wounds, and our unfinished stories. To believe that God is at work—even now—bringing salvation through ways we cannot yet see.
In a few days, we will gaze upon a child laid in a manger. But today, the Gospel asks us: Will we receive Him? Will we trust that God’s promise is greater than our fear? Will we allow Emmanuel to be truly with us?
3 Ways of ‘taking Mary into our homes:
1. Make space for quiet prayer and listening
Joseph took Mary into his home by trusting God in silence. We can do the same by creating small moments of stillness where God can speak. How:
- Pray a simple Marian prayer together as a family (the Angelus, one decade of the Rosary, or a Hail Mary) especially in the evening.
- Spend a few quiet minutes each day asking, “Lord, what are you asking me to trust?”
Mary teaches us how to listen, ponder, and receive God’s word in the heart.
2. Welcome Christ through hospitality and mercy
To take Mary into your home is to welcome the vulnerable, just as she herself was vulnerable and in need of shelter. How:
- Reach out intentionally to someone who may be alone this season, the elderly, a grieving person, or someone estranged from family.
- Practice patience and gentleness in tense family moments, choosing mercy over control.
- Support mothers, families, or those in need through concrete acts of charity.
When we welcome the vulnerable, we welcome Christ Himself.
3. Trust God in unexpected or difficult situations
Mary’s presence in Joseph’s life required him to surrender his plans. Taking Mary into our home means allowing God to work through what we did not expect. How:
- Name one situation in your life that feels unresolved or painful and consciously place it in God’s hands.
- Resist the urge to withdraw, give up, or harden your heart—choose faith-filled perseverance instead.
Mary helps us believe that God is faithful, even when His plan unfolds differently than we imagined.
May Saint Joseph teach us the courage of silent faith, the strength of humble obedience, and the grace to say yes when God invites us into His saving plan. And may our hearts, like his, become a home where Christ can dwell. Amen. Have a splendid day!
