Reflection for December 18, Friday of the Third Week of Advent; Matthew 1:18-25

Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25

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.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus.

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Reflection:

If only all husbands are like Saint Joseph, there would be no broken marriages; there would be no suffering wives, there would be no suffering children that ultimately bear the trauma of their parents’ separation.

Joseph initially planned to divorce Mary quietly until 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 (Matthew 1:20-22).”

When he woke up, he humbly did what was commanded to him by the angel of the Lord. What if Joseph brushed aside the message of the Lord? The Blessed Mother would have been in a very difficult situation. She could have died through stoning a brutal punishment for those who bore a child out of wedlock.

 There would be no birth of Jesus; therefore there would be no savior for mankind. But thanks to Joseph who listened to the Lord. With Joseph’s acceptance of the responsibility the plan of God was laid out without anymore hindrance.     

God has a plan for you also, just like Joseph who listened and obeyed; God wants you also to listen and obey.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas