Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a

A beautiful prayer we may be familiar with is the Serenity Prayer:

God, grant me the serenity to accept

the things I cannot change,

the courage to change the things that I can

and the wisdom to know the difference

In the many concerns that we face every day, it is very important to be able to discern. Otherwise, we would just be consumed with so many things.

In discussing discernment, Joseph was faced with a huge one in the Gospel. He found out that Mary was pregnant. Surely many questions ran through His mind.

• Is Mary telling the truth?
• How can she be pregnant through the Holy Spirit?
• Where did I go wrong?
• What will people say?
• How do I start all over again?

In the end, Joseph did one thing we all need in life: ACCEPTANCE.

1. God is in control. Trust His mysterious ways. Often we think we are in control, but from time to time we are reminded that is not the case. Hence, we have to be more accepting of the things that come our way whether we perceive it as good or bad. After all, as far as the Lord is concerned, all happens for a reason. Even the dream of Joseph had a reason and purpose.
   
2. Healing does not come from time but through ACCEPTANCE. All of us in life have these lists of “I should have done”, “I should NOT have done” and “If only this and if only that.” The sooner we learn from our mistakes in the past, the sooner we can move on.
   
3. The best thing one can do when it is raining is to enjoy the rain. Surely we have expectations in life, but when acceptance is knowing that whatever happens, it is really what is best for the moment.

Tomorrow, when we celebrate St. Joseph, we ask for his intercession in three things:

• Grace to be more accepting of life’s imperfections and God’s mysterious ways.
• Bless the work of our hands.
• Bless our fathers.