Daily Reflection – Dec 18, 2015
Friday 18 December 2015
First Reading: Jeremiah 23:5-8
Psalm Response:
Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever
Psalm 71(72):1-2, 12-13, 18-19
Gospel Acclamation:
O Leader of the House of Israel,
giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai:
come to rescue us with your mighty power!
Gospel Reading: Matthew 1:18-24
Today’s Note: Friday of the Third Week of Advent. Day of Penance
Gospel Reading:
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“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.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill
what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means “God is with us.”
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
He had no relations with her until she bore a son,
and he named him Jesus.
Reflection:
It’s often difficult to understand injustice in our world.
I am often disturbed, saddened and angered by news articles reporting those treated unmercifully, or when I witness it firsthand. More often – and more selfishly – I can be upset when I consider my own experiences of mistreatment. Why does this happen? Who is doing something to address it? What can be done? Will justice prevail?
In Jeremiah, we read of one who will reign and govern wisely, and do what is right and just. We are assured of justice. In the Psalm, we read of compassion for the poor and actions to rescue them. The Psalmist sings praises and of the hope that the whole earth would be filled with the glory of God.
The Gospel records the incarnation of Jesus, fulfilling the prophecy for one who brings justice. As a follower of Christ, and as God’s presence in the world, this is a reminder to me to also bring justice to the world so that it may ‘flourish in his time.’
