By Archbishop Thomas Wenski - The Archdiocese of Miami
Archbishop Thomas Wenski preached this homily while celebrating Mass on the 75th anniversary of Mercy Hospital in Miami, on Dec. 18, 2025.
Happy Birthday, Mercy Hospital. Wow! This hospital was founded 75 years ago – just like me. Mercy has lots of years still ahead, and I hope I do too.
75 years might not seem like a long time for a Church that is almost 2,000 years old, but here in this still young Archdiocese, 75 years is certainly something to celebrate.
Last Sunday, I was at Holy Redeemer Parish in Liberty City. It, too, celebrates its 75th anniversary. In reading a bit about its history, I was not surprised to learn that way back in the early 1950s, Mercy Hospital partnered with this historically African American parish to provide a health clinic to the people of Liberty City—a great legacy to remember and one to build on in the future.
We’re getting close to Christmas! And the Gospel reading for today drives home this point. The Gospel, taken from Matthew, presents us with an Annunciation story. Of course, we’re much more familiar with Luke’s Annunciation story, that of the Archangel Gabriel’s surprising message to Mary and her obedient acceptance of God’s will. But equally compelling is Matthew’s Annunciation story, that of Gabriel’s annunciation message to Joseph, which equally surprised him, but one to which he also gave his obedient acceptance. God, in order to bring to fulfillment his plan of salvation, wanted to count on certain collaborators: the ancient judges and prophets, John the Baptist, and, as we remember during this Advent and Christmas season, God wanted to count on the collaboration of especially Mary and Joseph in order to bring to fulfillment his Divine Plan.
Our God is a God of surprises to be sure, but he is also a God that wants to count on us – just as he counted on Mary and Joseph 2025 years ago, - just as he counted on the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine 75 years ago when they began this ministry that is Mercy Hospital.
Mary gave her “fiat” as Joseph gave his in turn. Joseph’s obedience is important: God didn’t need Joseph’s help to make Jesus, for both annunciation stories make clear that Mary was found with child without any human agency. But God wanted to need Joseph — first, by being Jesus’ legal father, Joseph connects Jesus to the lineage of King David, through whom God’s promises would be fulfilled. And, because children grow up best when they know the love of a mother and a father who are committed to each other in marriage, God needed Mary’s spouse, Joseph, to help to raise Jesus.
God took care that in choosing Joseph for this role, he chose someone who was a righteous man. Righteous but not self-righteous — and we see this in the evident kindness of Joseph when, after he first found out about Mary’s condition, he decided to divorce her quietly. (Betrothals were serious business, not easily broken as engagements can be today). Had he been self-righteous — with the moral rigidity that the self-righteous often exhibit, he could have had her shunned (best case scenario) or stoned (worst case scenario). But, told by the Angel, “be not afraid,” he took Mary into his home. Mary and Joseph, in obedience to God’s will, collaborated in his plan —they allowed themselves to be needed by God so that Jesus could come into our world.
Obedience to God’s plan, even when he surprises us; commitment to God’s will, or what we can call “righteousness.” Openness to being needed by God to do his work. This is what Mary and Joseph needed to bring Jesus into the world. This is what we need today to credibly witness to the gospel and bring Jesus alive in our world, especially in the world of health care.
As Christmas approaches, we are all busy — shopping, buying gifts, arranging for travel, cleaning up the “caja china” for the “lechon asado” on Christmas Eve. But by calling us to prepare for the spiritual side of the Christmas holiday — after all, Jesus is the reason for the season — the Advent Season also reminds us how God was preparing for Christmas. The Scripture readings of Advent — drawn mostly from Isaiah — tell us of how God prepared Israel and the world for the coming of the promised Messiah.
God acts to save us — for God so loved the world that he sent his Son to be our Savior. Jesus is Emmanuel, which is translated “God is with us” but also means “God is for us.”
All of you — who make up this Hospital community— are called to collaborate in God’s plan for the world. Like Joseph, each of us has his or her role to play. And God, while he didn’t have to, has decided to need you.
