Monday of the Third Week of Advent
Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Mt 1: 18-2
December 18, 2023 | Monday
This is how Jesus Christ was born: Mary his mother had been given to Joseph in marriage, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.
Then Joseph, her husband, made plans to divorce her in all secrecy. He was an upright man, and in no way did he want to disgrace her.
While he was pondering over this,an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She has conceived by the Holy Spirit, and now she will bear a son. You shall call him ‘Jesus’ for he will save his people from their sins.”
All this happened in order to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: The virgin will conceive and bear a son, and he will be called Emmanuel, which means: God-with us. When Joseph awoke, he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do, and he took his wife to his home. He did not have any marital relations with her. When she gave birth to a son, Joseph gave him the name Jesus.
Today’s Reflection:.
Joseph is the putative father of Jesus and so legally, he has the right to name him during his circumcision, eight days after his birth. He gave him the name mentioned by the angel in his dream: “You shall call him ‘Jesus’ for He will save His people from their sins.” The name Jesus means “God saves” (ang Dios ay nagliligtas.) His very name already suggests His mission of salvation for mankind. The fact that Joseph, a descendant of King David, gave him that name points us to the fulfillment of the prophecy in today’s first reading.
It is also good to note that the birth of Jesus is framed in a distressing situation for both Mary and Joseph. In both situations, God chose to send His messenger, an archangel to make His plan clear for them and to explain to them His surprising ways. When God calls us to a particular task, He also sends us the corresponding grace to carry and shoulder it. May the example of Mary and Joseph in today’s gospel give us hope as we face the seemingly insurmountable problems we have in life. / Vulnerasti, 2023
