Where are you God?
Susan Amann
Sometimes, when I look at my world, be it the small circle of my family and friends or the large sphere reflected in the national and international news, things just don’t make sense. This can be the sudden decision by a dear loved one to move to a new job and city across the country or a natural disaster impacting the lives of too many innocent people who have lost everything they own. At first, second and even third glance I can’t fathom why it is happening. I find myself praying, “Where are you, God, is this upsetting, baffling situation? My heart is broken.”
Today’s gospel, Mt 1:18-25, finds Joseph in just such a situation. His beloved, sweet, holy Mary is pregnant, and he knows it is not his child. I can easily imagine Joseph praying, “Where are you, God, is this upsetting, baffling situation? My heart is broken.” God consoles Joseph in two ways. First, by sending His messenger in a dream to calm Joseph’s fears and second, by speaking to Joseph through the prophet in Scripture.
As we journey through the last week of Advent, maybe you are praying, “Where are you, God, is this upsetting, baffling situation? My heart is broken.” It might help to turn to St. Joseph for the strength to manage your fears and with steadfast faith, cling to the Scripture that declares that the name of the son of Mary is Emmanuel, “God is with us!”
Susan Amann is a life-long Catholic, wife, and mother of 5 who has been involved in ministry since the 5th grade when she began proclaiming the scriptures for her elementary school worship services. Susan has spent more than 30 years in volunteer parish ministry of all sorts and in professional ministry leading catechetical and spiritual growth ministries. Susan has a BS in Engineering and an MA is Justice Ministry, and she is a self-proclaimed "Nerd Theologian". Susan is especially interested in the intersection of Theology and Disability and is passionate about the justice issue of children with disabilities being formed in the faith community where their families live and worship. Susan loves to garden, crochet and read historical mystery novels.
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