Description

There are two times that Joseph is visited by an angel while dreaming, when he had resolved to divorce Mary quietly and when they needed to flee to Egypt.

It’s the first that draws my attention, when Joseph, using the best discernment he could muster, decided to divorce Mary when she was found to be with child before they were married. Maybe he knew it was the Messiah and doubted himself, maybe Mary trusted God would take care of everything and told him nothing (both common traditions). Either way, God wanted Joseph to be the foster father of Jesus. He wanted the family to be both a mother and father, and to affirm the beauty and unity that comes from the nuclear family.

So God did not remain distant when Joseph was going the wrong way, He approached, sent an angel to Joseph in his dreams, and told him to not be afraid to take Mary as his wife.

And the rest is history.

In uncertain times, when I feel like I’ve made choices that could hinder God’s will, or went a direction He doesn’t want for me (in the abundant ways that happens on the weekly), it brings me so much comfort that Joseph understands that feeling, that he can commiserate with trying to make a difficult decision and choosing a direction knowing that it cuts off other options. And I truly believe that just as God sent Joseph an angel to get him back on track, He still does that for us, maybe in less dramatic ways, to keep us going the right way, for He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

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This sketch was part of a series that highlighted some of my favorite paintings and sculptures hidden in churches in Rome. Some are massive statues in St. Peter’s Basilica while others adorn quiet corners high up in the ceiling.

Moments of prayer brought into a sketch, highlighting the contemplative nature of our Faith, listening to God’s voice in a whisper.