December 18, 2025 – Word of the Day, Gospel & Pope’s Reflection
Welcome to Thursday, December 18, 2025. As we enter the final week before Christmas, today’s Word of the Day draws our attention to the quiet strength and obedient faith of Saint Joseph. We are invited to witness how ancient prophecies of a righteous King from David's line find their fulfillment through God's unexpected intervention in human lives. 🙏 Readings: First Reading: Jeremiah 23:5–8 — The prophet Jeremiah delivers a message of hope during a time of poor leadership. The Lord promises to raise up a "righteous Shoot" to David—a true King who will reign wisely and execute justice and righteousness in the land. This future king will be called "The Lord our justice," signifying that salvation and righteousness come ultimately from God. Gospel: Matthew 1:18–25 — The Gospel tells the story of the birth of Jesus from Joseph's perspective. Betrothed to Mary, Joseph discovers she is with child through the Holy Spirit before they lived together. As a "just man" unwilling to expose her to shame, he decides to divorce her quietly. However, an angel of the Lord appears to him in a dream, revealing that the child is conceived of the Holy Spirit and is the prophesied Emmanuel, "God is with us." The angel instructs Joseph to take Mary as his wife and name the child Jesus because "he will save his people from their sins." Joseph awakes and immediately obeys the angel's command. 🙏 Reflection: Today's liturgy focuses heavily on the figure of St. Joseph and the vital role he plays in salvation history. Jeremiah’s prophecy establishes the need for a righteous descendent of David. The Gospel shows us how God fulfills this promise, not through grand worldly power, but through the humble obedience of a carpenter. Joseph is described as a "just man." Initially, his justice leads him to seek a compassionate, legal separation from Mary to avoid scandal. Yet, true divine justice requires more than just following the law; it requires openness to God's disrupting presence. When God interrupts Joseph's plans through a dream, Joseph doesn't argue or ask for more proof. His response is immediate action. He aligns his will with God's, accepting a role he never anticipated: becoming the guardian of the Redeemer and the spouse of the Mother of God. Joseph teaches us that faith often means trusting God more than our own understanding when life takes an unexpected turn. 🙏 Application for Today: Reflect: How do you react when God's plans interrupt your own? Like Joseph, are you willing to "awake" from your own preconceived notions to embrace a challenging call from God? Pray: Ask God for the grace of a listening heart, similar to St. Joseph’s, able to discern His voice even in dreams or subtle nudges, and for the courage to obey without hesitation. Act: Faced with a difficult decision today, take an extra moment to pray before acting, asking not just what is easiest or most logical, but what God might be asking of you in that situation. 🙏 Prayer: Heavenly Father, You entrusted the beginnings of our redemption to the faithful care of Saint Joseph. Through his intercession, grant that we may always trust in Your mysterious plans, even when they upend our lives. Give us the courage to welcome Jesus into our hearts and homes without fear, just as Joseph did. Amen.
