Tthe Sunday of the Birth of St. John the Baptist - 14th Dec

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Reading: From the Gospel according to St. Matthew 1: 18-25

Dear and Respected Brethren,

We all believe that the incarnation of the Savior of the entire world and the mankind took place at the fullness of time as we read in Galatians 4: 4. "But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of woman, made under the law." Let us try to see what this fullness of time is. In Genesis 49: 10 we find a prophecy about it. "The scepter shall not depart from Judea nor a lawgiver from between his feet until Shiloh comes; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be." St. Matthew tells us about the incarnation of our Lord likewise: "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit." This is why the author of the epistle to Hebrews is telling: "Whereof the Holy Spirit also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before." The information about the pregnancy was a great shock to St. Joseph, who had surrendered himself to God's will and disposal, in taking care of the young girl, Mary. She was entrusted to him by the priests, making him believe that it was God's will. St. Matthew introduces him as a just. And only because of his just nature and fear of God, he decided to send St. Mary away in secret. St. Joseph took such a crucial decision because he was not willing to make her a public example and to ridicule her. He was aware of the punishment she might get, if he was making it a public issue as per the Jewish teaching mentioned in Deuteronomy 24:1.

In verses 20 and 21 we read, "But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she shall bring forth a son and thou shall call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins." As and when Joseph accepted the words of the messenger of Lord God, it doubled his own magnanimity and greatness. He willingly offered himself for the total surrender to God's will and plan of salvation. He had a great mind to obey God Almighty though it was quite difficult to believe in a very human way and style. God's selection of St. Joseph was so unique and so blessed. St. Joseph was allowed to name our Savior for whom the entire generations one after the other from the time of our first parents had been waiting for with great excitement and expectation. What a rare blessing was granted to St. Joseph? We must try to realize the greatness of St. Joseph more and more. We should not forget the truth that the Holy Church does honor St. Joseph as the father of all unknown saints. Let us try to honor him more and more in our personal lives and seek his continued intercession.

Verse 23 is again certifying that the incarnation is the fullness of all the prophecies about the incarnation of the Savior and our Lord including the prophecy of Isaiah (Isaiah 7:14) where he said that the name of the Lord would be Emmanuel, meaning God is with us. The very purpose of the incarnation of our Lord God was and is to remain with His children. Our Lord established the Holy Qurbana for His children who live on earth after His worldly life. By partaking the Holy Qurbana, we all get the abiding nature with Lord Jesus. Though we say that Holy Eucharist is the crown of all sacraments, we are not giving the due reverence and importance to it. We must find time to realize and learn the greatness and depth of the Holy Sacrament. When we celebrate the feasts of saints and all, we give secondary importance to the Holy Sacrament. If one is cautious about his or her relation with the Lord the Savior, definitely he or she will recognize the Holy Sacrament as the primary and most important one.

May God bless us all.

Jose Kurian Puliyeril.
Kottayam