The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to consider with reverence our relationship with the people we encounter as we work for restoration of faith, hope and love in our daily actions.
The Reading from the Prophet Jeremiah proclaims a Just Shepherd to restore Israel.
* [23:1–8] With the false rulers (shepherds) who have governed his people the Lord contrasts himself, the true shepherd, who will in the times of restoration appoint worthy rulers (vv. 1–4). He will provide a new king from David’s line who will rule justly, fulfilling royal ideals (vv. 5, 6). “The Lord our justice” is an ironic wordplay on the name of the weak King Zedekiah (“The Lord is justice”). Unlike Zedekiah, the future king will be true to the name he bears. Verses 7–8 may have been added during the exile.
Psalm 72 declares the Israelite king as the representative of God and a blessing for the whole world.
* [Psalm 72] A royal Psalm in which the Israelite king, as the representative of God, is the instrument of divine justice (Ps 72:1–4, 12–14) and blessing (Ps 72:5–7, 15–17) for the whole world. The king is human, giving only what he has received from God. Hence intercession must be made for him. The extravagant language is typical of oriental royal courts. (Psalms, PSALM 72 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Matthew proclaims the Birth of Jesus
* [1:18–25] This first story of the infancy narrative spells out what is summarily indicated in Mt 1:16. The virginal conception of Jesus is the work of the Spirit of God. Joseph’s decision to divorce Mary is overcome by the heavenly command that he take her into his home and accept the child as his own. The natural genealogical line is broken but the promises to David are fulfilled; through Joseph’s adoption the child belongs to the family of David. Matthew sees the virginal conception as the fulfillment of Is 7:14.
* [1:18] Betrothed to Joseph: betrothal was the first part of the marriage, constituting a man and woman as husband and wife. Subsequent infidelity was considered adultery. The betrothal was followed some months later by the husband’s taking his wife into his home, at which time normal married life began.
* [1:19] A righteous man: as a devout observer of the Mosaic law, Joseph wished to break his union with someone whom he suspected of gross violation of the law. It is commonly said that the law required him to do so, but the texts usually given in support of that view, e.g., Dt 22:20–21 do not clearly pertain to Joseph’s situation. Unwilling to expose her to shame: the penalty for proved adultery was death by stoning; cf. Dt 22:21–23.
* [1:20] The angel of the Lord: in the Old Testament a common designation of God in communication with a human being. In a dream: see Mt 2:13, 19, 22. These dreams may be meant to recall the dreams of Joseph, son of Jacob the patriarch (Gn 37:5–11, 19). A closer parallel is the dream of Amram, father of Moses, related by Josephus (Antiquities 2, 9, 3; (par.) 212, 215–16).
* [1:21] Jesus: in first-century Judaism the Hebrew name Joshua (Greek Iēsous) meaning “Yahweh helps” was interpreted as “Yahweh saves.”
* [1:23] God is with us: God’s promise of deliverance to Judah in Isaiah’s time is seen by Matthew as fulfilled in the birth of Jesus, in whom God is with his people. The name Emmanuel is alluded to at the end of the gospel where the risen Jesus assures his disciples of his continued presence, “…I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Mt 28:20).
* [1:25] Until she bore a son: the evangelist is concerned to emphasize that Joseph was not responsible for the conception of Jesus. The Greek word translated “until” does not imply normal marital conduct after Jesus’ birth, nor does it exclude it. (Matthew, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)
Becky Nickerson comments that Imaginative prayer is one of her favorite ways to connect with God. Placing herself into a biblical scene, engaging all of her senses to truly digest the context, and having authentic conversations with a key figure from the story deepens her understanding and strengthens her connection with God.
While the graces received from imaginative prayer are personal and unique, I share with you some of my reflections from praying with Joseph after receiving the news that Mary was to give birth to Jesus. I envisioned the relationship and interactions between Joseph and Mary, and the impact of the news that Mary was expecting a child. I asked Joseph about the details of the visit with the angel. I pondered who Joseph turned to for advice and how he prepared for the life changes that lie ahead for him and his family. I considered the roller coaster of emotions that Joseph would have been experiencing. Astonishment and anger when finding out Mary was with child. Fear, panic, and awe when the angel visited him. Honor and possibly elation in knowing that he, too, was selected to be a part of Christ’s birth story. Add in some nerves, self-doubt, and exhaustion that accompany the anticipation of becoming a parent. And of course, a lot of pressure because after all, this was no ordinary child.
As we all prepare for the birth of Jesus, the season of Advent opens an invitation to pause, listen, and observe, and to reflect on the anticipation and preparation from a variety of perspectives. (Nickerson, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “The righteous branch of David is Christ,” by Leo the Great, 400-461 A.D.
"There was only one remedy in the secret of the divine plan that could help the fallen living in the general ruin of the entire human race (Jeremiah 23:5-8). This remedy was that one of the sons of Adam should be born free and innocent of original transgression, to prevail for the rest by his example and by his merits. This was not permitted by natural generation. There could be no clean offspring from our faulty stock by this seed. The Scripture says, 'Who can make a clean thing conceived of an unclean seed? Isn't it you alone?' (Job 14:4) David's Lord was made David's Son, and from the fruit of the promised branch sprang. He is one without fault, the twofold nature coming together into one person. By this one and the same conception and birth sprung our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom was present both true Godhead for the performance of mighty works and true manhood for the endurance of sufferings." (excerpt from Sermon 28.3) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 1:18-25 comments on what hope the angel’s words can give us! Almighty God is inviting each of us to encounter and to know deeply the One who came to save us. Our salvation is not just a doctrine of our faith. It’s not just something that happened centuries ago in Jerusalem. It is meant to become a present reality today. It’s meant to open the door for us to know Jesus as “God with us.”
You don’t have to be a great saint like Joseph to experience the closeness of Emmanuel. Jesus is eager to spend time with you. He is waiting for you to reach out to him in prayer. He wants you to believe that he is present with you right here and right now. He is close at hand, a true and faithful friend who wants you to open your heart to him. So thank him for the many blessings you have experienced. Share with him the situations and challenges and fears that trouble your heart. Marvel that the infinite, eternal God has become man so that he could be close to you. Simply draw near to the God who has chosen to draw near to you!
“Jesus, I believe you are God with me. Let me know you as deeply as I know my closest friend.” (Meditation on Matthew 1:18-25, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the passage from Jeremiah on the restoration of Israel. Jeremiah was not a happy person and now the people will be saved and a new experience will bring the people back from the diaspora. In Matthew’s Gospel, Mary is pregnant and betrothed to Joseph who out of compassion will divorce Mary, who in the Law could be stoned to death. Joseph redefined righteousness from following the Law to have Mary stoned to righteousness as exercising compassion. In the dream experience Joseph is prefigured by Joseph of the Hebrew Testament. Matthew uses sheep and goats to teach compassion. Friar Jude connects Matthew’s account of Jesus' birth to the prophecy of Isaiah and the use of the Greek translation to proclaim “the virgin will have a child”.
Fr. Mike Schmitz walks us through Peter's powerful message about persevering in trials, trusting that those sufferings purify our love and faith by teaching us to love God for his own sake and not just the gifts he blesses us with. Finally, as we wrap up Colossians, Fr. Mike highlights St. Paul's call to uphold the obligations we have to others in society, in our family, and in our work. Today we read 1 Peter 1-2, Colossians 3-4, and Proverbs 30:10-14.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Author Victoria Loorz who describes how a slower pace allows us to experience reverence for the natural world and others.
Reverence is slow and intentional. It allows awe to fill your lungs and bring tears to your eyes, and it floods your bloodstream with extra oxygen and energy. Wandering with reverence means you’re looking at the world with softened eyes that no longer see others as objects of beauty or utility. Reverence allows you to behold the trees and waters and tiny ants as separate beings…. You acknowledge them as individuals who are as concerned about their own survival and enjoyment of life as you are about yours. They are as important to their relations as you are to yours. John O’Donohue, a Celtic poet, philosopher, and priest, wrote the book (in both senses of that phrase) on Anam Cara, or “soul friends.”… He says, “Reverence bestows dignity and it is only in the light of dignity that the beauty and mystery of a person will become visible.” [3] The same applies to seeing the dignity of a tree or a place or even yourself…. (Rohr, n.d.)
We implore the Spirit to enhance our ability to appreciate the awe and wonder in the people and environment where we live and refine our sense of righteousness as love of God and neighbour.
References
Jeremiah, CHAPTER 23 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 18, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/23?5
Matthew, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 18, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/1?18
Meditation on Matthew 1:18-25. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved December 18, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/12/18/1447443/
Nickerson, B. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved December 18, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-december-18-2025
Psalms, PSALM 72 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 18, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/72?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Reverence for Reality. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 18, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/reverence-for-reality/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). He Will Save His People from Their Sins. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 18, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
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