Today’s Catholic Reflection
In the passage from Jeremiah, the Lord speaks of a future leader from David's line. This king will rule with wisdom and justice. He will bring salvation to Judah and security to Israel. The people will shift their focus from the exodus and instead celebrate their return from exile. They will see the Lord's faithfulness in restoring them to their homeland.
In the Gospel of Matthew, we read birth of Jesus. Mary is engaged to Joseph and is found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Joseph, being a good man, plans to end the engagement quietly. An angel appears to him in a dream and reassures him. The angel tells Joseph to name the child Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. This fulfills the prophecy of a virgin giving birth to Emmanuel, which means "God is with us." Joseph listens to the angel and takes Mary as his wife.