When one makes a decision, one should be prudent like Jesus tells us, "[w]hich of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion?" [Luke 14:28] Decisions have consequences and we would be remiss if we thought any less. And some decisions have lifelong consequences, like marriage and the marital act. Entering into lifelong decisions without prudence can leave us and others in devastating situations. And here we see a great example in Joseph.

Joseph was prudent in his decisions. He understood well that his decisions had consequences. He entered into marriage as such. And then when Mary was pregnant, he did not understand his situation. It was devastating. Until the angel gave him a proper understanding of the situation. And now, Joseph sees a decision. A lifelong decision that will require a total gift of himself. And yet, Joseph does not hesitate. He immediately responds with his total gift of self in this unique service to God. He did so easily because he had already given himself totally to God. Joseph had held nothing back from God before and was not going to start now. He knew the price and had already been willing to pay it.

Do we understand the price to be Christian? Immediately before Jesus' quote about prudence that we just pondered at the beginning, Jesus says, "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." [Luke 14:27] In Jesus' time, people did not carry crosses to parties. Indeed, we would be thrown out of a party if we brought a device of execution. Crosses were only carried to one's execution. Not that Jesus wants us to be executed. No. It is a willingness to love God more than oneself. When we do so, God meets us with a love so powerful that not even death can destroy it.

Joseph, help us to be true Christians, willing to bear all wrongs in love for Our Savior Who bore the punishments for the wrongs we have committed against God and our neighbors. Amen.