Waking From A Dream

When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him Matthew 1:24

It is New Year's Day 2010 and people are awake, some regretting already how they started 2010. Some just gently saw it through until the ball dropped in the safety of their home. Others partied with strangers and friends. All of us carry some wild expectations, whether we admit them or not. We want things in the new year to be magically different. Many will sign up for weight loss and gym programs in the next few days, mixed with hopefulness, self-loathing and/or desperation. We want something radically different, and want to be someone completely different.

Today we hear the story of Joseph's dream, the one which set him on the path to accept Mary's story and live with the consequences of accepting that honor. He would work and struggle his whole life to understand what part he had to play in God's plan. Hid faithfulness and willingness to take on the challenge of God, changed the whole story of our faith. It wasn't his kid and he didn't have to do it. He felt betrayed at some level and drawn into a mess not of his own making. And yet he woke up and was faithful. And God was faithful to him and we honor him to this day. Thousands upon thousands of youngsters and adults have vied to play the role. we all want to be the heroic Joseph. Few want to face the weight of his dream and his faithfulness.

Today, as we face 2010 together, let us remember that God is always faithful and loving to us, and always willing to inspire us to do great things. These things are not the things that the world thinks are great, but rather constancy and sacrifice for others are the marks of God's activity in our lives. Whatever personal goals you set, may they be surrounded by the dreams of God - that love and compassion will be the path for this and every year. Happy New Year and may God bless us all!