Advent Reflection
“Stay in Your Lane, Joe” by Father Greg Shaffer
“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21
“Stay in Your Lane, Joe” by Father Greg Shaffer
While driving on the highway, many of us have the habit of glancing at cars and drivers in the other lines. We might do this unintentionally and mindlessly. We also might do it intentionally, wishing that we were driving that truck or sports car or speeding freely in the left lane. It’s a simple example of subconsciously or consciously wishing that we were driving in another lane in life. And yet, the lane we are currently traveling in – boring but dependable car, our spouse and children who are the greatest gifts – is (hopefully) the lane in which God wills us to be.
St. Joseph was in the lane of his vocation with Mary. After Mary “was found with child through the Holy Spirit, Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly” (Mt 1:18-19). Joseph was looking to change his lane in life. The angel Gabriel then appeared to him, explained the miraculous conception of Mary’s child, and said, “do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home” (v. 20). Basically Gabriel, said, ‘stay in your lane, Joe’. Without delay, Joseph “did as the angel had commanded him” (v.24). He stayed in his lane with Mary and Jesus.
This is the lane that God personally designed for him. It is Joseph’s lane for love, joy, peace, happiness, and fulfillment. Yes, he was looking elsewhere but we all do that from time to time. No other lane on the highway of life will satisfy us like the lane that God had in mind for us when He created us. If Joseph didn’t realize this when he first said yes to God through Gabriel, he certainly did during his incredible ride through the supernatural lane of Grace with Mary and Jesus.
His amazing and immediate obedience to God’s Will won him the lifelong prize of being married to the greatest woman ever and the earthly father of the Savior of the world. Like us, he was so glad that he stayed in his lane!
Written by Father Greg Shaffer
Pastor for Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Church
