Joseph's unwillingness expose Mary to Shame has a great lesson for todays Generation

Gospel Thoughts*

*Lent : Fourth Week: Friday*

*GOSPEL - Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a*

*First Reading - 2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16*

*Solemnity of St Joseph*

*Joseph's unwillingness expose Mary to Shame has a great lesson for todays Generation*

*1) The Culture of Exposing some one to Shame*

This particular culture has become very powerful in today's society. 

Many people try to expose their enemies into shame into different forms 

The modern media, like Whatsaap, YouTube, twitter, Instagram, and other social networking sites have become a place of exposing some into shame and humiliating them 

Many people think that exposing their enemies into shame through the social is the best way to control them and to silence them 

*2) The Culture of exposing some one to shame is a grave sin*

At times it becomes a grave sin because the person who undergoes shame may ultimately commit suicide, and there many instances of such things 

So exposing some one to shame some times ends up in taking away life. That's is why it is a grave sin 

At times exposing some one to shame, makes a person to lose his/her reputation, makes it impossible to work in a place, suffers the person mentally, spiritually, emotionally and biologically. So it beings about a great suffering on the person. That is why it is a grave sin

By exposing some one to shame we gain nothing. That's why by all means we must try to keep up the dignity of the human person at all times. 

*3) Exposing some one to Shame is a devilish attitude*

It is devilish because such an attitude is nothing but a kind of cruelty on a person 

Only a person who has a devilish attitude can enjoy at the shame of another person or at the suffering of another person 

It is devilish attitude to rejoice at the failure, shame, suffering, and death of another person. A normal person with human qualities can't do such things 

Exposing some one to shame is not a human quality. Therefore it is devilish 

*4) Joseph didn't want to expose Mary to Shame - Why?*

First of all he was a righteous man. It speaks about the integrity of Joseph 

A integrated and a just man can't put another person into shame. So Joseph proved what he was but protecting Mary

Secondly, he also very much loved Mary. His Love for Mary made him not to expose Mary to Shame 

Thirdly he also thought about Marys future, the danger involved in exposing her to shame, and also the wellbeing of the Child 

So all these things prevented Joseph, from exposing Mary to shame 

*5) By not exposing the Shame of another Person Joseph exposed His integrity to the entire World*

Today the Church regards Joseph specially for protecting Mary and taking care of the Child 

He became the patron of the universal church, because he didn't expose Mary to Shame 

He because a saint because he didn't expose Mary to shame, but he protected her 

He became a foster Father of God's child because he didn't expose Mary to Shame 

He became one of the main characters in the Salvation history because he didn't expose Mary to Shame 

Finally by not exposing Mary to shame, Joseph exposed his true self, - just and righteous man - to the entire world 

*6) Today the world needs this character of Joseph*

Today's world is very much wounded because people are busy in exposing one another into shame

The culture of exposing another person to shame through the use of power, authority, influence, media, force is becoming more and more, as a result the world is wounded very much 

*7) We need Joseph's to heal the World today*

Today the need of Josephs is very much needed. 

Only Josephs can heal the wounded world of today 

If so will you become a Joseph in your life? 

Will you become a Joseph to your neighborhood?

Will you become a Joseph to your enemies? 

Think about it?

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*