It’s True

Today’s Gospel Text:  Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; 19 and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; 21 she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." 22 All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:  23 "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus. Matt 1:18-25

Reflection: The Holy Spirit is the third person in the Godhead and Jesus reveals to us that it is he who is going to be with us forever.

He has been given to us in Baptism and we are called to walk according to the Spirit (Gal. 5:16,25)

Joseph was willing not to walk by the Spirit and could have continued to follow the law of God, if not for that intervention of God in his dream and he would not have been wrong to put away Mary, after all it was not his responsibility to take care of a woman, who may be momentarily, considered as irresponsible in her discretion.

The whole law would have supported him in his action and what is worse Mary would have now been exposed publicly to meet the same of the many adulterers.

If Mary was exposed publicly, who would have believed her story, even in our day people, especially those who are sexually promiscuous, find it difficult to believe the great gift of continence and faithfulness to God.

Who doesn't wait for an opportunity to stand for justice and do what is right? Yes, the godless are the first to fight for justice through violence and wicked ways and such godless may have existed among the religious society of that time, clamoring for Mary's blood. 

They would have picked up the first stone to hit at Mary and perhaps succeeded in their design, if God would not have been with the righteous Mary. 

She is an embodiment of total faith and trust in the great possibilities of God.

How many of us men of faith will say; “nothing is impossible with God”, doubtless many will be able to say that but how many among these can in their actions and in their heart believe that this statement is true in every sense of the term.

To follow Jesus through Mary, is a call to believe in this great possibility of God, and Mary is there with us if we are to seek  her help to walk daily in that faith which alone can save us every moment unto eternity.

Prayer:  Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

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