“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."
Today as the church formally welcomes a new Pope, it is not difficult to imagine Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the former Cardinal Archbishop of Buenos Aries, hearing the scripture say to him: Do not be afraid, Francis, to take the church as your bride and lead her as Pontiff, a word that means bridge builder.
Pope Francis has already impressed many with his lack of fear, his humility and humor. Responding to a toast by one of the cardinals after his election, he quipped: May God forgive you for what you have done. How difficult it must be to maintain a sense of humor when asked to assume such a heavy responsibility, but Pope Francis seems up to the task, perhaps because he does not take himself too seriously.
It also seems apparent that St. Joseph didn't take himself too seriously. Once he was assured in a dream that God had intervened in his life, Joseph's humility wins the day. Not compelled to be anything more than God wanted him to be, Joseph remains an iconic figure in the church because of his acceptance of the quiet role God planned for him.
Let's pray that Pope Francis will continue to be like of St Joseph in his willingness to do whatever God asks .
Today, be yourself before God.
What dreams do you have for our new Pope?
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