WEDNESDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT, DECEMBER 18, 2024

MASS READINGS:

Gospel

Mt 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.

REFLECTION

do not be afraid

C.S. Lewis states that faith is based on reason; imagination and emotions can destroy faith. St Joseph was afraid to expose Mary because he loved her so much. He knew he had no relations with her, so his situation was hard for him to understand other than Mary had been unfaithful. He was unwilling to expose her to shame, though, therefore was willing to divorce her quietly.

This dream was one of the four dreams that Joseph had concerning Jesus. He needed supernatural understanding and knowledge to believe.

What have we learned from St Joseph? Everything, including mysteries of life, encounter them with utmost trust in God. Sometimes we are called to walk down a path that we know will be hard...a loved one is ill and there is nothing we can do to alleviate their pain. Confusion, doubt and uncertainty start moving in, working with our emotions and worry. The fight with our faith begins. But we know God and therefore should trust in His plan. His Word will clarify for us what we do not understand. Be silent as St Joseph, walk in faith and trust in the Lord.

God Bless You.