I was struck by the words in the Gospel: “Mary was bethrothed to Joseph” and “Joseph, her husband.” I couldn’t help but pray, “Lord, by the time this reflection gets read, I’d have turned 35. I don’t know if I’ll still be single by then, or if I’ll be like Mary who’s met my Joseph.”

The words I overlooked were: “the birth of Jesus Christ.” These words made me smile and I told myself, “Kring, relax. You’ll be OK—whether single or married. God is with you. Isn’t that more than enough?”

It’s human nature to instantly see what’s lacking in our lives and wish for what we see in others. But when we look at Jesus first and recognize He’s with us, we have more than what we need. He was born into this world to be with us and love us—even offering His life for us on the cross.

This Christmas season and whatever seasons we’re currently in, let’s remember that God became man to be with us. We may feel lonely or lacking, but He loves us and provides for us. Emmanuel is more than enough. Kring Talladen (kringtalladen@gmail.com)

Reflect:

Listen to the song, “Emmanuel” by Bukas Palad Music Ministry, and remind yourself that God is with you no matter what.

Dear Jesus, thank You for coming to be with me. May I never forget Your presence in my life.

Saint Desideratus, pray for us.

The Jews had high hopes of what the Messiah would do for them. They were sorely disappointed because their focus was on earthly realities and not spiritual ones. Understanding the spiritual significance of Jesus' life will show us how amazing His ministry was. God sent His Son to die for sinners and raised Him to life to be the way to salvation for all.

⁵ Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David; as king he shall reign and govern wisely, he shall do what is just and right in the land. ⁶ In his days Judah shall be saved, Israel shall dwell in security. This is the name they give him: “The Lord our justice.” ⁷ Therefore, the days will come, says the Lord, when they shall no longer say, “As the Lord lives, who brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt”; ⁸ but rather, “As the Lord lives, who brought the descendants of the house of Israel up from the land of the north” and from all the lands to which I banished them; they shall again live on their own land.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19

R: Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever.

¹ O God, with your judgment endow the king, and with your justice, the king’s son; 2 He shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment. (R) ¹² For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him. ¹³ He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor he shall save. (R) ¹⁸ Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous deeds. ¹⁹ And blessed forever be his glorious name; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. (R)

Gospel | Matthew 1:18-25

We sometimes underestimate Saint Joseph's role in the drama of salvation. It cannot have been an easy path for Joseph to walk. He must have been a man of great faith and deep trust in God. Can we say the same of ourselves? 

Gospel Acclamation

O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power!

¹⁸ 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. ¹⁹ Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. ²⁰ 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. ²¹ She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” ²² All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ²³ Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” ²⁴ When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. ²⁵ He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus.

Read the Bible in one year! Read JAMES 1 - 5 today.

The Gospel today is the “other” Annunciation story. In Matthew, we hearhow the good news has been announced to Joseph. Here, we see some veryimportant insights about righteousness for it is in this Gospel of Matthew that weknow how Joseph stands before God and how he is seen as a just person by the people of his time.

Oftentimes, what leads man into trouble is his desire to put himself above all else. I mean, why does one “pay” his way to get what he wants when he wants it—a man doing under-the-table transactions to get the necessary papers from the government; a man bribing a traffic enforcer to avoid the hassle of going to the agency to claim the confiscated license; public officials pocketing public funds; and so many other social problems we are now facing as a nation?

Joseph’s righteousness is seen in his submission to the will of the Father. It may have posed grave difficulties for him, but that did not matter. The Scriptures say that as soon as he woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him. Personal comfort can sometimes blur our eyes from seeing the will of God. But even with great discomfort and possible setbacks, Joseph faced the music because that is what the Lord desires.

There is a great need for us to become righteous not just in the eyes of men, but more so, in the eyes of God. Looking beyond the self and what satisfies the self is the path to it. Righteousness can truly do for us what it has done for Joseph—stand just in the eyes of God and of men. Fr. Sandy Enhaynes

reflection questions:

What do you think of Joseph’s reaction? Would you have done the same?

Help me to imitate Saint Joseph’s righteousness, Lord. Give me his strength of character. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ____________________________________