Advent Weekday
Jeremiah 13:2-7, 24-25A
Psalm 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19
Matthew 1:18-25
Summary
Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was
found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph, being honorable, was
going to divorce her quietly. An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a
dream and told him the child had been conceived through the Holy Spirit,
the child will be a boy, and you will name Him Jesus. He will save people
from their sins. When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel told him, took
Mary into his home, had no relations with her until she had a son, and he
named him Jesus.
Reflection
Today?s Gospel tells of Joseph, who finds out Mary is pregnant, and rather
than cast her out in shame, which he certainly could have, he was going to
divorce her quietly, because as the Gospel says, '? he was a righteous
man...¯ It is hard to imagine how Joseph must have felt when he discov-
ered Mary was with child. He must have been hurt, upset, and heartbro-
ken, maybe even angry. And who wouldn?t be, right? When the angel ap-
peared to Joseph and instructed him to take Mary into his home, told him
the child was conceived through the Holy Spirit and would save people
from their sins, and even told him what to name this baby, Joseph didn?t
flinch. What enormous faith, strength, and courage it took for Joseph to
comply with the angel?s instructions. While it is unlikely that we will be
asked to be as strong as Joseph, or under-
take such a weighty task, there are many
times that we hear God?s word in our heart,
telling us to do something, and know exactly
what it is we need to do. Maybe it?s stand-
ing up for someone, or reaching out to
someone with compassion, or volunteering
