Today’s reading outlines how the Virgin Mary became pregnant. She became pregnant before she was married to Joseph, who was set to end their engagement due to the period’s social stigma against pregnancy outside of marriage. But Joseph changed his mind on the divorce after God came to him, saying that Mary was faithful and the child belonged to God Himself. Joseph heeded God’s call and the pair married.

I imagine that their neighbors were suspicious of Mary’s pregnancy. I’m not sure that if an unwed friend became pregnant any of us would respond to her explanation, “The child is God’s, destined to take away the sins of the world!” with affirmation. Actually, Mary was probably called all sorts of horrible names. But it didn’t matter—she was doing God’s work. Mary’s pregnancy is a constant reminder to answer God’s call to do right, even when that call is not consistent with societal norms.

As the year ends, may we be brave. May we doing the greatest good, even if it’s not popular. Maybe that ‘good’ is remaining academically honest when presented with temptation, maybe that ‘good’ is turning down a job on Wall Street for a public interest job. Maybe that ‘good’ is being the first to reach out to a frenemy. Today, like every day, is a wonderful day to answer God’s call.