From the moment their children are born, many parents already dream of their future. Grandparents and godparents eagerly share stories, predicting who the child will become. Yet all these dreams ultimately rest on the foundation of the home - a place where a child must grow strong, gain God's wisdom, and learn to live as a true child of God.

When Joseph learns of Mary's conception, his first instinct is to protect. He loves Mary enough to shield her from shame, even at the cost of his own hopes. Yet it is precisely in that moment of uncertainty that God enters-not with thunder, but with a dream.

Leaders come and go. Elected political leaders serve a term and literally have to court voters from where their mandate comes. In some dioceses, church leaders, Priests or Pastors, after the period of their assignment expires, are re-assigned to another parish - they also come and go. Whatever the length of the tenure of office, there is a saying: one period is too short for a good leader and too long for a bad one. There are many examples of leaders holding on to their positions and power and not wanting to relinquish them - until the ugly side of power manifests. Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely. When this happens, the people the leaders wish to serve are the most affected and become victims of tyranny. Herod the Great and his successors have all succumbed to the folly of too much power.

One of the responsibilities entrusted to me during my four years as Associate Pastor at St. Theresa in Phoenix was overseeing the Marriage Preparation. Each year, there was always at least one couple who hesitated when asked to participate. They would question the need for preparation: Why prepare for marriage when we already love each other and have known each other for so long?