She will bear a Son & You are to Name Him Jesus

by Fr. Jerome Cayetano  |  12/21/2025  |  The WORD in other words

The news about pregnancy and the news about birth are always exciting to the couple and to the family. The news about the birth of Jesus is also exciting by the fact that it is reported in Luke and Matthew because they are only gospels which have infancy narratives. The announcement of the birth of Jesus as reported by Luke (Lk 1:26-38) has been read for the Solemnity of Immaculate Conception. Today, we hear the announcement of the birth of Jesus from the Gospel of Matthew. (Mt.11:2-11) At the outset, they are almost similar, but the difference lies on their focus. The former is focused more on Mary, while the latter is focused on Joseph.

Matthew begins by telling us that Mary is betrothed to a man named Joseph. But before they lived together, she (Mary) was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. This news must have shattered and disturbed Joseph. Being a righteous man, he did not want to embarrass Mary nor go public because it lead to stoning of Mary. He decided to divorce her quietly. And lo, God's timing was perfect by sending Gabriel to him through a dream who spoke to him to take Mary as his wife into his home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that Mary is begetting the child. Mary will bear a Son and that he has to give him a name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins. When Joseph woke up, he did everything that the angel told him.

Let's focus our attention on Joseph. What kind of person is he? The scripture describes him to be a righteous man, which means that he is a God fearing person. He always wants to do what is right and what is good or what is just. His main motive is to please God. And he pleases God when he obeys Him. God wants him to be the foster father of Jesus. He entrusts to him the care of his Son by telling him to name him Jesus. Pope Francis aptly describes him as the accepting father". He accepts Mary and Jesus unconditionally. Though, he didn't understand his role quite well, but with his benevolent heart he was able to do what God expects of him, being the foster father to Jesus and a husband of Mary.

Today's gospel account must inspire, convict and challenge us, first not to belittle our dreams. Dreams are ways wherein God can communicate or convey to us his Will. For example, you dream of your Papa or Mama who have died many years back. God is telling you to pray for their souls. Or if they are happy or smiling at you, God is telling you that they are now in heaven and that you should not be anxious about them. Second, never put a person in an embarrassing situation in order to humiliate them, most especially when they have committed a mistake. Just keep the mistakes of people to yourself. Never gossip about them. Remember, we are not perfect human beings. We all do commit mistakes. We have just be patient with each other. Being silent about the mistakes of people is a sign of maturity and benevolence. Finally, one of the ways to be a just and righteous person like St. Joseph is to be an obedient person. To be a "yes" man or woman. Obedience is akin to humility. It is easier for a humble person to obey, whereas an arrogant, prideful and haughty person would find it hard to obey. Test yourself if you are obedient, do you follow all the traffic laws?

In three days time, we will be celebrating Christmas, the birth of Jesus. I would like to wish all our parishioners a very Merry Christmas and a grace-filled New Year!