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.
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Reflection:
Do you
always obey the will of the Lord for your marriage? For example the will of God
for the marriage covenant to be forever and not to be stained by any hint of infidelity.
Are you ever faithful to this marriage covenant in your thoughts and actions?
Today is
the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Aside from
being responsible father and husband to Jesus and Mary what else makes Saint
Joseph so especial? Joseph humbly and quietly followed the will of the Lord.
Saint
Joseph accepted without question what God wanted him to do. Yes he was planning
to quietly divorce Mary. However, the moment the angel appeared in his dream to
convey God’s message for him. He never questioned the will of the Lord. He followed
what the angel told him to do, he loved Mary and Jesus deeply and he
responsibly took care of them.
Let us
reflect on the humility of Saint Joseph and compare it with our humility before
God. Let us reflect on the submissiveness of Joseph to the will of the Lord and
compare it with our own submissiveness to the will of God regarding our fidelity
with the marriage covenant.
Let us reflect on the sacrificial and deep love of
Joseph towards Mary and Jesus and compare it with our love for our spouse and
children. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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