Gospel: Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a
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.
Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of Saint Joseph—the humble, righteous, and godly husband of Mary. In a moment of confusion and quiet pain, when Joseph discovered that Mary was with child before they lived together, he resolved to quietly let her go. His heart was just, yet human—perhaps filled with questions, uncertainty, and sorrow.
But God, in His mercy, did not leave Joseph in the dark. In a dream, an angel of the Lord appeared to him. And in that sacred moment, Joseph listened—not with fear, but with faith; not with pride, but with trust. He opened his heart to God’s voice, and because of his obedience, what could have led to separation became a story of salvation. Mary was spared, and God’s plan unfolded through a willing and listening heart.
In our modern and fast-paced world, we,
too, face moments of misunderstanding, hurt, and doubt—especially in our
relationships. Oftentimes, we are quick to judge. We allow our pride, anger,
and wounded emotions to take control. Because of this, we become less willing
to forgive, less patient to understand, and less open to listen—not only to one
another, but to God.
Yet, God continues to speak to us—in the
silence of our hearts, in moments of prayer, and even in the midst of our
struggles. His voice gently invites us to forgive as we have been forgiven, to
show compassion instead of judgment, and to trust even when we do not fully
understand.
Like Joseph, we are called to quiet our
restless hearts, to surrender our fears and pride, and to listen deeply to the
voice of God. For it is in listening that we begin to see clearly, love more
fully, and act more faithfully.
When God speaks to us—in silence, in
struggle, or in unexpected ways—will we, like Joseph, choose to listen, trust,
and obey, even when it asks us to let go of our pride and follow a path we did
not plan? —Marino J. Dasmarinas
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