Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Mt 1:16, 18–21, 24a (or Lk 2:41–51a)
March 19, 2022 | Saturday

Today’s Gospel

Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and from her came Jesus who is called the Christ—the Messiah.

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.”

When Joseph awoke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do, and he took his wife to his home.

Today’s Reflection:

A strong husband is someone adored and listened to without question by his wife. However, a far greater husband is someone strong enough to endure listening and serving his wife, even if it hurts him or entails a greater sacrifice on his part. Today’s solemnity introduces to us a not-so-familiar but nobler concept of masculinity and husbandry. Joseph is overwhelmingly confused, hurt and humiliated upon discovering Mary’s unexplainable pregnancy. But it never crossed his mind to hurt her back, even through words. We can’t be certain if Joseph’s proficiency in carpentry entails a strong physical prowess in him. But his heart is so strong that all his life, he was able to continue loving and protecting Mary and Jesus even if he knew that they are not his, but God’s. As humans, let us strive to be as selfless and mature as him. /Vulnerasti, 2022