Gospel Reflection - Matthew 1:16,18-21,24a - Monday - Solemnity of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Gospel Reflection - Matthew 1:16,18-21,24a - March 20, 2023 - Monday - Solemnity of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary





    Reading 1

    2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16
    The LORD spoke to Nathan and said:
    "Go, tell my servant David,
    'When your time comes and you rest with your ancestors,
    I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins,
    and I will make his kingdom firm.
    It is he who shall build a house for my name.
    And I will make his royal throne firm forever.
    I will be a father to him,
    and he shall be a son to me.
    Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me;
    your throne shall stand firm forever.'"

    Responsorial Psalm

    Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29
    R. (37)  The son of David will live for ever.
    The promises of the LORD I will sing forever;
    through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness,
    For you have said, "My kindness is established forever";
    in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
    R. The son of David will live for ever.
    "I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
    I have sworn to David my servant:
    Forever will I confirm your posterity
    and establish your throne for all generations."
    R. The son of David will live for ever.
    "He shall say of me, 'You are my father,
    my God, the Rock, my savior.'
    Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,
    and my covenant with him stands firm."
    R. The son of David will live for ever.

    Reading 2

    Rom 4:13, 16-18, 22
    Brothers and sisters:
    It was not through the law
    that the promise was made to Abraham and his descendants
    that he would inherit the world,
    but through the righteousness that comes from faith.
    For this reason, it depends on faith,
    so that it may be a gift,
    and the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants,
    not to those who only adhere to the law
    but to those who follow the faith of Abraham,
    who is the father of all of us, as it is written,
    I have made you father of many nations.
    He is our father in the sight of God,
    in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead
    and calls into being what does not exist.
    He believed, hoping against hope,
    that he would become the father of many nations,
    according to what was said, Thus shall your descendants be.
    That is why it was credited to him as righteousness.

    Verse Before the Gospel
    Ps 84:5
    Blessed are those who dwell in your house, O Lord;
    they never cease to praise you.

    Gospel

    Mt 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.

    or

    Lk 2:41-51a
    Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover,
    and when he was twelve years old,
    they went up according to festival custom.
    After they had completed its days, as they were returning,
    the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem,
    but his parents did not know it.
    Thinking that he was in the caravan,
    they journeyed for a day
    and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances,
    but not finding him,
    they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.
    After three days they found him in the temple,
    sitting in the midst of the teachers,
    listening to them and asking them questions,
    and all who heard him were astounded
    at his understanding and his answers.
    When his parents saw him,
    they were astonished,
    and his mother said to him,
    “Son, why have you done this to us?
    Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.”
    And he said to them,
    “Why were you looking for me?
    Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
    But they did not understand what he said to them.
    He went down with them and came to Nazareth,
    and was obedient to them.

    Reflection

    Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a recounts the events leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ, and provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the significance of this miraculous event in the history of salvation.

    The passage begins with the genealogy of Jesus, tracing his ancestry all the way back to Abraham. This emphasizes the fact that Jesus was not just any ordinary human being, but rather the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham to bless all nations through his descendants.

    Moving on to the main narrative, we learn that Mary, who was engaged to Joseph, was found to be pregnant. This must have been a shocking and confusing revelation for Joseph, who was a righteous man and would have been deeply committed to following God's law.

    However, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and reassured him that Mary's child was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and that he should not be afraid to take her as his wife. The angel told Joseph that the child would be named Jesus, which means "God saves", and that he would save his people from their sins.

    This passage teaches us several important lessons. Firstly, it shows us that God's plans are often not what we expect or anticipate. Mary's pregnancy would have been seen as scandalous and shameful in the eyes of society, but it was actually part of God's plan to bring salvation to the world.

    Secondly, it emphasizes the importance of faith and trust in God. Joseph could have chosen to follow his own understanding of the law and reject Mary, but he chose to listen to the angel's message and trust in God's plan.

    Finally, it reminds us of the central message of the Gospel - that Jesus came to save us from our sins. This is a message of hope and redemption, and one that we should be constantly reminded of as we seek to live out our faith in the world today.

    As we reflect on this passage, let us be inspired by the faith and courage of Mary and Joseph, and let us strive to follow in their example by trusting in God's plan for our lives and living out the message of salvation that Jesus came to bring.

    Prayer

    Dear God, we come before you with grateful hearts, thanking you for the gift of your son, Jesus Christ, who came to save us from our sins. As we reflect on the words of Matthew 1:16,18-21,24a, we are reminded of the miraculous events that led up to the birth of our Savior, and the faith and trust of Mary and Joseph in your divine plan.

    We ask that you strengthen our own faith and trust in you, especially in times of confusion and uncertainty. Help us to always listen to your voice and follow your will, even when it may go against our own understanding or the expectations of society.

    We pray for the grace to live out the message of salvation that Jesus came to bring, sharing his love and compassion with those around us, and striving to make the world a better place in his name.

    We also ask for your blessings upon all families, especially those facing difficult or challenging situations. May they find comfort and support in the love and example of Mary and Joseph, and may they experience your healing and guidance in their lives.

    We offer all these prayers to you, Lord, in the name of your son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.


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