Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Jeremiah 23:5-8, Psalm 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19, Matthew 1:18-25

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS


O Leader of the House of Israel,
giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai:
come to rescue us with your mighty power!



Jeremiah 23:5-8, Psalm 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19,
Matthew 1:18-25


Jeremiah 23:5-8

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

You became incarnate of the Virgin Mary, You became Man, You took upon Yourself our humanity and all that it entails and You redeemed a fallen race. All had sinned and had lost the Kingdom of God forever. But God our Father found a way to restore what was lost. You saved not only Israel but the whole world. You are the Way to the Father's House there is no other. Thank You, Beloved, for laying down Your life for us. Thank You for restoring our hope of seeing God face to face.


Psalm 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

You had a preferential love for the poor, the marginalized, the outcast, the sinner, the forgotten, and You expect us to have the same love as You did. 

The poor often have their legitimate rights denied to them and this is why they can expect justice from You. It is right that God, our Father, appointed You as the just judge for Your judgements will always be tempered with mercy. Anyone who cries out to You will be heard. Thank You for saving us and for restoring all that we had so wantonly squandered. Thank You for restoring peace in our hearts as You have promised.

Lord, God, Savior of my soul and of the whole world, may I praise, worship, honor, and give thanks to Your glorious Name all the days of my life. May my life be a witness to Your love always.


Matthew 1:18-25

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Today's gospel reading narrates the greatest dramatic story that was ever conceived or written nothing comes close to it in human history. God trusted each of the characters to do the right thing. A young virgin, her betrothed Joseph, and God incarnate in the Virgin's womb.

Mary had gone in haste and great joy to assist her elderly cousin Elizabeth who was pregnant, she returns three months later visibly pregnant herself. Joseph's initial joy in having Mary back after a long absence would have turned to consternation when he realized that she was with child. His beautiful, loving, virginal, pure, holy Mary - what was he to make of this? He would have been crushed and yet there was no anger perhaps just great sadness as all his hopes, dreams and plans for a life together with her came tumbling down. Which of us can not identify with him? Have we not at one time or another been crushingly disappointed at things not having gone the way we expected them to?

But if we are faithful, God is even more faithful and He knows how to make everything work perfectly for the glory of God. He knows how to draw good from every situation that we face no matter how difficult.

God sent an angel to Joseph to reassure him that things are not always as they appear to be. A great work was being entrusted to him, as protector of Mary, guardian of her purity and virginity, and foster father to the Son of the Most High God. Joseph does not utter a word. His whole life is one of perfect dedication to God, to his wife Mary, and to Jesus.

We can learn from much from his example. 

Teach me Holy Spirit to imitate St. Joseph in his unconditional love for Jesus and Mary, his obedience to the will of God and his great humility. Amen.

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