Daily Gospel Reflection for December 18, 2024

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25

In today’s Gospel ,we read about one of St. Joseph’s dreams. Let me tell you of a special way this Scripture reading comes alive for me.

By some act of God’s will, our parish (dedicated to St. Joseph) has a reliquary that holds a small piece of cloth from the robe of St. Joseph. The Church teaches that a relic is meant to help us feel closer to the saint through the communion of saints--we as Church Militant and they as members of the Church Triumphant.

How do I feel when I approach this relic? That touch to the reliquary helps me to imagine what it was like for St. Joseph as he faced difficult decisions. An angel speaks to him in a dream.

“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.”

Joseph opens his eyes to a new day, to a new life. Yesterday he was a humble carpenter, anguished about his future. And then he has this dream. Not just a common dream. It was a message from God, thrusting him into salvation history.

Scripture is unequivocal about Joseph’s reaction. When Joseph awoke, “he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.”

I glance at that reliquary in our little country church in Maine. It is a reminder to remain humble and obedient to God’s will, just like St. Joseph.

Ponder:

When I am filled with anguish about a distressing turn of events, do I submit to the will of God?

Pray:

Heavenly Father, give me strength in times of trial to trust in You. May I never lose hope that You are near.

Copyright 2024 Kathryn Swegart