Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Jeremiah 23: 5-8; Rs psalm 72: 2.12-13.18-19; Matthew 1: 18-24
meditation today has the theme: Joseph, an Expert of Christmas. The Gospel of
Matthew that we have just heard, tells us that in a dream an angel spoke in
this way: Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She
is pregnant from the Holy Spirit, neither from you nor from anyone else. The
child to be born through Mary, you must give Him name Jesus.
win the heart of Joseph who would be disappointed and embarrassed, considering
that his future wife, Mary, had been found pregnant, God had a strategy. The
angel who was sent by God had to be capable in transmitting message, so that
Joseph had to really understand what God was going to do for him. The angel
from the first moment caught Joseph from the very beginning of the
conversation, addressing him as the son of the descendant of David. As he was
associated with the king David, the great and noble king, it was certain that
he was truly the descendant of the king, he could not avoid it. He must obey
human beings have always been like that way. If the name of a big person or a
sacred person in the family is used to convince you, of course you will have no
choice to deny it but agree. We grow, develop, and are educated to always
follow the example of those great, noble, majestic, and holy persons. When for
example you want to lie or show a negative reaction, these extraordinary people
are brought in to make you reconsider your actions.
we can say that Joseph is an expert of Christmas, because he helps preparing
us, that we will be able to control and evaluate ourselves properly and well.
We have celebrated few days ago, the Joyful Sunday. May the joy of the coming
Christmas not making us over joy that causes us forget the essential thing,
namely that our mind and spirit need to be purified. Our joy in welcoming
Christmas, need to be completed by remaining obedient to God in terms of proper
vigilance, so that we are not carried away by the influence or temptation of
Satan that leads us into sin.
is a master for Christmas, and he can teach us about being ready to take risks
and sticking to the right decision. As each individual and as family or
community, we will certainly make decisions that help the growth of our faith
in celebrating this Christmas and New Year. We also spend time to enjoy
Christmas and New Year holidays. May the decisions taken individually or
collectively, offer the right disposition of one’s faith. Let there be risks as
the consequences of these decisions, but those risks are for our goodness. The
sincere and holy man Saint Joseph, pray for us. Amin.
Let's pray. In the
name of the Father... O Lord, may we imitate Saint Joseph in the preparation
for this Christmas, by being able to control ourselves and be firm in faith in
You. Glory to the Father and to the Son ... In the name of the Father...