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 humbly and quietly 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 and our fellow human beings. 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 the Lord 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 respective wives and children. –
Marino J. Dasmarinas
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