Yet Still I Love You

And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 
Lk.2:33

How wonderful that mamma Church completes the liturgical year by illuminating Mary. Our Advent focus will now all the more easily shift to heavily pregnant Mary, on the donkey led by Joseph, slowly but inexorably making their way towards Bethlehem. 

It strikes me that even on the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Joseph is mentioned. Whenever I think of Mary I can't help but see the figure of Joseph, protectively in the background. 

It gives me hope that even in that blessed Holy Family, sin was still present. Even Joseph didn't escape the stain of original sin. Yet he was chosen to be the lover, the provider and the protector of incarnate God at his most vulnerable. And somehow, I can just see Mary seeing the sin in Joseph, smiling and saying, "Yet still I love you."

Mamma Mary, I see you now looking at the sin in me, smiling and saying, "Yet still I love you."

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of death. Amen.

Happy New Year everyone!