| Today’s Gospel Matthew 1: 16, 18-21, 24a Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. |  For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. |
Reflection
In today’s Gospel we hear about Mary and Joseph. Just imagine what they must have felt. They did not have the whole story presented to them, and nothing like it had ever occurred before in history, but what they did have was extraordinary trust in the Lord. When Mary was visited by the Angel Gabriel, she obediently consented to the will of God, though she did not know what would happen. How do you tell your husband, parents, family, and friends that you conceived God’s Son? Do you think she wondered about what others would think? If she feared that they would not understand or believe her? Whatever she may have been thinking, nothing stopped her from saying "yes." Can we say the same when God asks us to serve Him? Even when we are convicted of our mission, do we put it aside because we are afraid? How can we place our trust in the Lord as Mary did and respond?
Think of Joseph’s role in all of this. He discovered his wife was pregnant and knew it was impossible for the child to be his. As a result, he planned to divorce her. But the story does not end there, for God intervenes. An angel appears to Joseph in his dreams, encouraging him to not be afraid to receive his wife and her son. The little information he was given still would have been impossible to understand, but he chose to trust.
Though we have seen Jesus fulfill every promise, we can still find it hard to trust Him. May we follow the example set before us by Joseph and Mary. Today in honor of St. Joseph's feast day, spend some time in silent prayer asking him to intercede on your behalf. Ask the Lord to help you to fully trust in Him. Pray that you may have the courage to answer His call and say "yes" to His will for your life just as St. Joseph and Mary.
In today’s Gospel we hear about Mary and Joseph. Just imagine what they must have felt. They did not have the whole story presented to them, and nothing like it had ever occurred before in history, but what they did have was extraordinary trust in the Lord. When Mary was visited by the Angel Gabriel, she obediently consented to the will of God, though she did not know what would happen. How do you tell your husband, parents, family, and friends that you conceived God’s Son? Do you think she wondered about what others would think? If she feared that they would not understand or believe her? Whatever she may have been thinking, nothing stopped her from saying "yes." Can we say the same when God asks us to serve Him? Even when we are convicted of our mission, do we put it aside because we are afraid? How can we place our trust in the Lord as Mary did and respond?
Think of Joseph’s role in all of this. He discovered his wife was pregnant and knew it was impossible for the child to be his. As a result, he planned to divorce her. But the story does not end there, for God intervenes. An angel appears to Joseph in his dreams, encouraging him to not be afraid to receive his wife and her son. The little information he was given still would have been impossible to understand, but he chose to trust.
Though we have seen Jesus fulfill every promise, we can still find it hard to trust Him. May we follow the example set before us by Joseph and Mary. Today in honor of St. Joseph's feast day, spend some time in silent prayer asking him to intercede on your behalf. Ask the Lord to help you to fully trust in Him. Pray that you may have the courage to answer His call and say "yes" to His will for your life just as St. Joseph and Mary.
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