This is one of the times of the year when - if we take the time to stop and ponder - we can be particularly aware of God's grace and action in our lives. Today, the scriptures present the figure of Joseph of Nazareth, who is also known as the just man. Saint Matthew calls him a righteous man (Mt 1:19). Possessing this virtue, we can safely consider this man as one who was well respected, one who constantly sought to do good and to be honest. Are these not the virtues that we too usually try to live?
Being a righteous man, when Mary was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit, ... he decided to divorce her quietly so as not to expose her to shame, but God had another plan, and Joseph had a part to play in that plan.
Sometimes, we too find ourselves in situations where we would rather find a way to leave our troubles behind, either because the challenges we encounter seem to challenge our own considerations about how life should be, or because such realities threaten to stretch us beyond the limits that we might consider possible. However, sometimes God places such challenges in our lives in order to help us to grow in the level of our trust. Sometimes, we need to listen in prayer for the words of an angel who proclaims to us the same words that were revealed to Joseph: Do not be afraid ... (Mt 1:20).
Continuing our journey toward the celebration of Christmas, we hear the second O Antiphon in today's liturgy: O Adonai - one of the Hebrew names attributed to God.
This is part of the seven O Antiphons that appear in the liturgy of the Church during these final seven days leading up to the celebration of Christmas.
Have a great day.
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