MY daily reflection and prayer:
Friday, Desember 18, 2015
The Third Week of Advent
Dear my friends,
Here is the Gospel for us today according to Matthew 1:18-25
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but her knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
***
THE Gospel today tells us about Joseph who lovingly accepted Mary who was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, a just and God-fearing man, did not wish to punish his espoused wife, Mary when he discovered that she was pregnant. He was not hasty to judge and to react with hurt and anger.
Joseph believed the angel’s message, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” He believed in the divine message to take Mary as his wife and to accept the child in her womb as the promised Messiah. He no doubt took this troubling matter to God in prayer.
Both Joseph and Mary had to face an enormous challenge to their faith and trust in God. God had chosen them to assume a burden of tremendous responsibility. They were asked to accept this miraculous exception to the laws of nature. They nonetheless believed and trusted in God’s promises.
In the Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist, while worshipping Jesus Christ we ask him to be wise like Joseph and Mary, models of faith for us. They are faithful witnesses and servants of God’s unfolding plan of redemption.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, we want to be ready to believe in the promises of God, even when faced with perplexing circumstances and what seems like enormous challenges. We trust in you for you have not left us alone now and forever. Amen.
Kredit foto: Ilustrasi (Ist)
