Today’s Daily Reflection

 Blessed are those who dwell in your house, O Lord; they never cease to praise you.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (1:16, 18-21, 24a):

Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

Now 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."
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.

Reflect: When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him. Clearly, Joseph was a man of great faith. His faith, however, did not develop in a vacuum. He had the example of his father Jacob, as well as Abraham and the many others who gave him good example. He witnessed their lives in action and meditated upon their response to God as he studied the sacred scriptures.  When faced with a seemingly disturbing and disappointing scenario with the pregnancy of Mary, it must have felt as if life was crashing all around him. “Since he was a righteous man” God showed Joseph through a dream that he should “not be afraid to take Mary” into his home. Joseph’s “yes” at that moment and throughout his life gave example to Jesus and influenced Jesus’ trust in the Father Almighty. As we honor Joseph today, let’s not underestimate the ways that God desires to show us his will in our own lives. He is with us to guide us even in the most challenging and trying life situations. At the same time, God wants to use us as disciples of faith in the world. Whether we recognize it or not, our faith and trust in God’s ways will speak volumes to those who know us now and even for future generations. God is alive and in our midst! The stories of great faith continue to unfold even now. Our families and the world around us are in desperate need our witness of faith. May God give us the grace and strength to say “yes” even when we don’t always understand his will.

Questions: Have I ever taken time to reflect upon the faith and witness of Saint Joseph? Who have been the strong witnesses of faith in my own life? How is God calling me to give witness to his love and faithfulness for my family and any others that I encounter along the way?

Pray: Loving God, through the intercession of Saint Joseph, help me to trust your will and to give witness to the unfolding mysteries of human salvation.  I pray this in the powerful and perfect name of Jesus. Amen

Saint Joseph: Pray for us! Well done, good and faithful servant. Come, share your master’s joy.