Todays reading in Matthew 1:18-24 talks about Joseph's experience with Mary's pregnancy. However, there's another version of what happened that seems to carry equal weight. Joseph did not doubt Mary's virginity and message from Gabriel, and he knew very well about the prophecy from Isaiah 7:14: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel." However, the prophecy did not say anything about who would raise him and, like Moses and Isaiah before him, and Peter after him, he did not feel he was worthy enough nor the right person to take on such a weight. When the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, he said "Do not fear to take Mary into your home." If Joseph felt Mary had cheated on him, the message might have been different since Joseph would have felt angry or betrayed.
If you recall Peter, when he finally realized who Jesus was, fell to his knees and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinner!." They say this is closer to what Joseph was feeling. Again, such humility is always a good sign of what comes next with the Lord.
Ron
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