Saturday of the Third Week of Advent
Yesterday the Gospel passage from St. Matthew sets the stage for the unfolding of God’s great plan. “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham…Jacob, the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.” Today that story continues: “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.”
Today another promise to be fulfilled: “Behold the days are coming, says the Lord. I will raise up a righteous shoot to David. Judah shall be saved; Israel shall dwell in security.
We focus on Joseph, described as a righteous man – a holy man, one who followed the law. A gentle man, compassionate, caring who at first looked to divorce Mary quietly so as not to bring her shame or pain.
Yet, Joseph was also flexible to follow the promptings of the angel in his dream, to take Mary as his wife. He is the model of openness and humility. He was open to following the plan he received, even though it probably did not make perfect to sense to him.
In the lives of both Mary & Joseph, we can see how God’s plan works in our lives – often it takes us by surprise. Sometimes God does overwhelm us with the miraculous. That’s something we all experience in different ways and at different times. That is yet another coming of the Lord, the type of coming we experience now and anytime throughout the year.
Let us pray for the grace to see the Lord’s comings and the ability to open our hearts to what the Lord asks—whenever he asks it.
Reflection by Fr. Peter Ullrich, OSB
Posted in Articles for Advent, Daily Reflections