Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 1, 16, 18-21,24 a
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.
Saint Joseph, pray for us
1) A righteous man. St Joseph should be our role model, especially in his righteousness, in his fairness to himself and to others. It’s that kind of maturity you and I must attain. Try to work on that attitude of justice in your heart. Perhaps, you are fair to others, but unfair to yourself, not valuing yourself as you should. Fairness, justice, is linked to prudence, because when we’re fair, we also know how to act prudently in extreme situations like those that Joseph lived. Joseph teaches us that we must live with fairness and prudence so that, being prudent, we can also be fair.
2) Do not be afraid. Obviously, before acting or making a decision, we feel fear, that’s our greatest confrontation: fear. But it’s amazing how the Divine Light helps us at this point. That’s why I won’t get tired of saying, “if you have to make an important decision in your life, don’t stop praying”. Don’t stop seeking God’s light so fear doesn’t lead you to part with things that are essential to your life. Fear is defeated by courage. Courage is achieved by being confident and security is achieved through trust. Trust is achieved by surrendering to the Lord and surrender is achieved by having a supernatural vision.
3) When he awoke. This is what we have to ask Saint Joseph for today: to wake up! Let’s ask him to help us know how to make the decision we must, and, once made, how to carry it out! We can’t stay alone in our reflective world. We must put that decision into action and learn how to be people who act concretely in everyday life. Accept the situations you go through, face them and act. Ask St. Joseph to lead you.
Remember that something good is on the way! God bless you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
