Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 1, 18-24
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 conceive 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.
Mary and Joseph
1. Mary. You might think Mary’s life was already decided and mapped out for her, just as sometimes we feel our own lives are set and all we have to do is fulfil our role. But life is unpredictable and full of surprises. Your journey is always changing; even today, something unexpected could happen that transforms your day or your whole life. Remember to ground your life in faith rather than relying solely on other people. While everyone passes through your life, God will remain with you always and forever. Embrace your reality, and from where you are, look for the wonderful ways you can help others, just as Mary did.
2. Joseph. He was confused and deeply troubled by what happened, but he showed courage and self-control. He didn’t see himself as a victim, nor did he ignore the situation. This example teaches us that before making important choices, it’s crucial to reflect and nurture our inner life. Pray, listen carefully, and keep pride out of your decisions—especially when building your life and family. If pride controls your choices, it can lead to bitterness and ruin. Let’s ask St. Joseph to guide us to be patient and wise, especially during difficult times.
3. He will save. We each have a role to do good in the world. Don’t ever stop doing good and let your daily decisions be guided by the principle of “doing good, no matter who is watching”. Be encouraged because Christ wants to be born in your heart.
Always remember that something good is on the way!
God bless you, be with you and protect you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
