“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.” – Matthew 1: 20 – 21
Reflection
Today’s readings on the Feast of St Joseph (Foster Father of Jesus), focus on God’s promise to David to give him an heir whose kingdom would last forever.
The promised Son of David, is the One the Scriptures prophesied to be the Messiah, the Saviour.
Jesus is the fulfillment of this promise to David, as revealed by the Angel Gabriel to Mary, His Mother.
And again, as revealed by the angel to Joseph in his dream.
In the Scripture readings from two days ago, there was a lot of confusion in Jesus’ time about His identity.
The people who were mostly offended by His teachings and lifestyle, refused to believe in Him as the Messiah, and they based their arguments on their perception that Jesus was from Galilee, and not from David’s line in Bethlehem.
However, in today’s Gospel, the angel calls Joseph by name, and adds the title, “son of David”.
This title “son of David,” is the link that connects God’s promise to David to the fulfillment of the promise in Jesus, the Messiah.
In a sense, the angel’s words were deliberate to show and prove that God was now fulfilling His promise to David, in the child that Mary had conceived in her womb, by the Holy Spirit.
And indeed, Jesus came to establish a Kingdom, the true Kingdom that is not of this world, but the Kingdom of His Father that lasts forever.
It is incredible when we begin to contemplate God’s promises in the Old Testament and His fulfillment of them in the New Testament through His Son, Jesus.
Jesus is the Saviour who fulfills all the promises of the Old Covenant, through the New Covenant in His Blood (Matthew 26:28).
St Paul makes a similar analogy, in today’s second reading, in relation to God’s promise to Abraham, that he and his descendants would inherit the earth.
St Paul makes a clear distinction that the promise to Abraham, was based on Faith.
This means that the descendants of Abraham as promised by God, were all who would also tap into the kind of faith that Abraham had in God.
It is amazing to read that on Mount Moriah, Abraham said to His Son Isaac, that “God will Himself, provide the Lamb for sacrifice.” – Genesis 22:8
Jesus, is the Lamb Who God provided for sacrifice, Who by dying on the Cross, saved the entire world, and opened up the entire world to access this faith of Abraham.
By His death and resurrection, and through the promulgation of His Church, the whole world now have access to the Faith of Abraham, and so God has also fulfilled His promises to Abraham.
It would be good to take a moment today, to reflect on God’s (individual) promises to us.
As Scriptures have revealed the fulfillment of God’s promises can only be accomplished in the Person of His Son, Jesus.
So, whatever promises God has made to us in the past, let us bring them before Jesus our Saviour, and let us ask Him to bring them to fulfillment by His Power.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, we reflect today on Your saving promises and the fulfillment of them all.
We thank You for fulfilling the promises made to David and Abraham.
Heavenly Father in the Name of Jesus Your Son, we present all the promises we have received from You, back to You.
You know them all Father, for You gave them to us.
We are expectant for their fulfillment o God, and in the Name of Jesus, we pray that You speedily bring them to pass according to Your Divine plans and purpose.
Thank You Father, for opening up the gates of Heaven to us this day.
We bless and glorify Your Holy Name, for establishing us in the Kingdom of Your Son, Jesus.
Have Your Way Holy God in our lives, today and forever, and through all our descendants establish Your covenant forever.
Amen.
Song
Covenant keeping God
There is no one like You
Alpha and Omega
There is no one like You
Alleluia!
Always & Forever,
To The Lamb.
With all my love.
19-March-2018