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Dear Friend,
To know more about the One Who is to Come, the Gospel this Sunday (Matthew 1:18-24) gives us an insight about Joseph, the person to whom God entrusted His most precious gifts to us – Mary and Jesus. We hope that the Child Jesus will grow in us as He grew under the care of Joseph.
Read this Gospel of the 4th Sunday of Advent to your family (or each other) and then meditate on what Joseph went through.
Meditation ~
Joseph found himself in a critical situation that would show what he was really made of. He saw that Mary, his beloved wife, is pregnant even before he could have taken her into his home. It was natural for him to think that Mary had this child by another man. Joseph was in anguish and confused how Mary could have done this to him. He knew Mary to be very much in love with him yet this had happened. There must be an explanation but Mary had not told him anything but remained as composed as before.
What must he do?
If he denounces Mary, she would be accused of impurity and would be punished by stoning, according to Jewish laws.
Joseph agonized and reflected on this situation. He could not let this happen to his beloved Mary so what he decided to do, he would in secrecy – he would sacrifice himself by leaving Mary and accepting the blame for abandoning Mary with child.
Joseph went through passion and death.
When an angel revealed to him the truth, he was reinvigorated to a new life with Mary and Jesus.
Such was the wisdom of Joseph that the Child Jesus would grow under.
Contemplation ~
Imagine yourself in that critical situation of Joseph, and let his faith, hope, trust and love for Mary grow in you. Look at the face of Mary full of peace and joy with the Child Jesus in her.
Joe & Charito
THE CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA'S
ONLINE RESOURCE FOR FAMILY MINISTRIES
www.simbahayan.org
servants@simbahayan.org
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