Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent
Lectionary: 194
Reading 1
Jeremiah 23:5-8
Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD,
when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David;
As king he shall reign and govern wisely,
he shall do what is just and right in the land.
In his days Judah shall be saved,
Israel shall dwell in security.
This is the name they give him:
"The LORD our justice."
Therefore, the days will come, says the LORD,
when they shall no longer say, "As the LORD lives,
who brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt";
but rather, "As the LORD lives,
who brought the descendants of the house of Israel
up from the land of the north"–
and from all the lands to which I banished them;
they shall again live on their own land.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19
R. (see 7) Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king's son;
He shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous deeds.
And blessed forever be his glorious name;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
O Leader of the House of Israel,
giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai:
come to rescue us with your mighty power!
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Matthew 1:18-25
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."
All this took place to fulfill
what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means "God is with us."
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
He had no relations with her until she bore a son,
and he named him Jesus.
Reflection 1
Catholic Daily Reflections
A Mysterious Pregnancy and Apparent Scandal
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. Matthew 1:18–19
Mary’s pregnancy was truly mysterious. In fact, it was so mysterious that even Saint Joseph initially couldn’t accept it. But, to Joseph’s defense, who could accept such a thing? He was faced with what was a most confusing situation. The woman to whom he was engaged was suddenly with child, and Joseph knew he was not the father. But he also knew that Mary was a holy and pure woman. So, naturally speaking, it makes sense that this situation simply did not make immediate sense. But that’s the key. “Naturally speaking” this did not make immediate sense. The only way to understand the situation of Mary’s sudden pregnancy was through supernatural means. Thus, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, and that dream was all he needed to accept this mysterious pregnancy in faith.
It’s amazing to consider the fact that the greatest event to ever take place in human history happened under a cloud of apparent scandal and confusion. The angel revealed the deep spiritual truth to Joseph secretly, in a dream. And though Joseph may have shared his dream with others, it’s most likely the case that many people still assumed the worst. Most would have presumed that Mary was pregnant either by Joseph or by someone else. The idea that this conception was the working of the Holy Spirit would have been a truth beyond what their friends and relatives could ever comprehend.
But this presents us with a great lesson about judgment and the action of God. There are countless examples in life when God and His perfect will lead to judgment, apparent scandal and confusion. Take, for example, any martyr of old. We now look at the many acts of martyrdom in a heroic way. But when the martyrdom actually happened, many would have been deeply saddened, angered, scandalized and confused. Many, at the time of a loved one being martyred for the faith, would be tempted to question why God permitted this.
The holy act of forgiving another could also lead some to a form of “scandal” in life. Take, for example, the crucifixion of Jesus. From the Cross, He cried out, “Father, forgive them…” Were not many of His followers confused and scandalized? Why didn’t Jesus defend Himself? How could the promised Messiah have been found guilty by the authorities and killed? Why did God allow this?
Reflect, today, upon the mystery of God’s actions in life. Are there things in your own life that are hard to accept, to embrace, or to understand? Know that you are not alone in this. Even Saint Joseph experienced this. Prayerfully commit yourself to a deeper faith in God’s wisdom in the face of any mystery with which you struggle. And know that this faith will help you to live more fully in accord with the glorious wisdom of God.
Reflection 2
One Bread, One Body
o come, all ye faith-ful
“When Joseph awoke he did as the angel of the Lord had directed him and received her into his home as his wife. He had no relations with her at any time before she bore a Son, Whom he named Jesus.” —Matthew 1:24-25
We need every moment of Advent to grow in faith. It is so easy to miss Christ’s Christmas coming. Only those who are filled with faith will be ready to meet Him.
St. Joseph, the man of faith, believed an angel’s message, which he heard in a dream (Mt 1:20). He believed that his wife was pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit. This was one of the most astounding acts of faith ever. St. Joseph, pray for us to grow deeply and quickly in faith during these last days of Advent.
In the first reading of today’s Mass, the Church presents to us a prophecy from Jeremiah referring to the Exodus and to the Israelites’ return from exile in Babylon (Jer 23:7-8). Both of these monumental events came out of nowhere. To believe that they would ever occur would be to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7).
Several mountains loom between us and meeting Christ this Christmas. Only by faith can we move these mountains (Mt 17:20). In these last few days of Advent, let us cry out: “I believe! Help my lack of faith!” (see Mk 9:24) Let us abide in God’s Word (Jn 8:31) by which we hear Him and have faith in Him (Rm 10:17). Let us grow in faith, even if we have to suffer (see 1 Pt 1:6-7). When Advent is the time of our greatest faith, Christmas will be the greatest ever.
Prayer: Father, give me faith like that of St. Joseph.
Promise: “She is to have a Son and you are to name Him Jesus because He will save His people from their sins.” —Mt 1:21
Praise: “O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, Who showed Yourself to Moses in the burning bush, Who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: Come, stretch out Your mighty hand to set us free.”
Reflection 3
Shared from Daily Liturgy
Dreams were often, though not always, regarded as sufficient grounds for faith. When God reveals the truth to Joseph, he believes and obeys. Joseph’s response to God’s revelation reveals the depth of his trust in God, even when it was limited to a dream. Joseph was convinced by the revelation of God, which was on natural terms impossible. He would remain an object of shame when Mary, his betrothed, is found pregnant. Joseph’s obedience to God cost him the right to value his own reputation. Like a father Joseph was asked to name the child “Jesus”, a name that means “God is salvation.” Joseph’s obedience to the will of God brought salvation to all. Am I ready and willing to give up my reputation to give life to someone else?
Prayers
Lord, I turn to You with the deepest mysteries of my life. Help me to face them all with confidence and courage. Give me Your mind and Your wisdom so that I can walk each day in faith, trusting in Your perfect plan, even when that plan appears mysterious. Jesus, I trust in You.
Lord Jesus, you came to save us from sin and the power of death. May I always rejoice in your salvation and trust in your divine plan for my life.
Daily Reflections on Divine Mercy
Reflection 352: Chastisement and Guilt
It may not be pleasant to consider the chastisement of God. But it must be understood that His chastisements are real and are an act of His abundant Mercy. When souls turn from God and refuse His Mercy, this deeply wounds His Heart. As a result, God becomes more “passionate” so to speak in His tireless pursuit. One way He seeks to open their hearts is through chastisements. Think of the Pharisees, for example. They were filled with pride and egotism and the Lord rebuked them harshly. But He did so to win them back as an act of great Mercy. It worked for some, for others it did not (See Diary #1703).
Are you aware of the chastisements of God? For example, have you felt the pain of extreme guilt for your sins? If so, pay attention to this. Know that if you have gone astray, especially through pride, the Lord will pour down judgment upon you. If you persist, He will pour it down with a vengeance. And when a soul remains obstinate, God’s Mercy cannot enter. But when these chastisements produce a sense of holy guilt, this means that the conscience is working and is in a position to change. Do not hold onto guilt and do not ignore it. Run to the Mercy of God so that He can free you from your sin and return His peace to your heart.
Lord, please give me the grace I need to turn to You in all things. May I never be in need of the fierce chastisements of Your Mercy. But if I am in need of this grace, please help me to respond with conversion from my sins. Jesus, I trust in You.
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