Gospel Reflection for The 18th day of December in the year of Our Lord, 2025
Thursday of the Third Week of Advent
Matthew 1:18-25
18 Now the generation of Christ was in this wise. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost. 19 Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name JESUS. For he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: 23 Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 And Joseph rising up from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife. 25 And he knew her not till she brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
The Douay Rheims gives us a couple of important explanatory notes for today’s Gospel”
[16] “The husband of Mary”: The Evangelist gives us rather the pedigree of St. Joseph, than that of the blessed Virgin, to conform to the custom of the Hebrews, who in their genealogies took no notice of women; but as they were near akin, the pedigree of the one sheweth that of the other.
[25] “Till she brought forth her firstborn son”: From these words Helvidius and other heretics most impiously inferred that the blessed Virgin Mary had other children besides Christ; but St. Jerome shews, by divers examples, that this expression of the Evangelist was a manner of speaking usual among the Hebrews, to denote by the word until, only what is done, without any regard to the future. Thus it is said, Genesis 8. 6 and 7, that Noe sent forth a raven, which went forth, and did not return till the waters were dried up on the earth. That is, did not return any more. Also Isaias 46. 4, God says: I am till you grow old. Who dare infer that God should then cease to be: Also in the first book of Maccabees 5. 54, And they went up to mount Sion with joy and gladness, and offered holocausts, because not one of them was slain till they had returned in peace. That is, not one was slain before or after they had returned. God saith to his divine Son: Sit on my right hand till I make thy enemies thy footstool. Shall he sit no longer after his enemies are subdued? Yea and for all eternity. St. Jerome also proves by Scripture examples, that an only begotten son, was also called firstborn, or first begotten: because according to the law, the firstborn males were to be consecrated to God; Sanctify unto me, saith the Lord, every firstborn that openeth the womb among the children of Israel, etc. Ex. 13. 2.
This is an excellent example of why Catholics are instructed to read official Catholic Bibles. At one time, Catholics were forbidden to read non-Catholic Bibles specifically because they did not include such explanatory notes. Protestants make a grave mistake thinking that they can understand the Bible without the guidance of the Church. This leads to error and truly awful heresy. Recently, I have encountered several Protestants who have an absolute hatred for the Blessed Virgin Mary, seemingly only because Catholics respect the Mother of God. They absolutely deny that she had no other children but Jesus and her perpetual virginity.
It is such a shame that this false notion was begun by Martin Luther and has led to so many false beliefs and denomination. Ironically Luther, himself, had a great admiration for the Blessed Virgin Mary and encouraged his followers to meditate on her life. Our Lord’s parable of the yeast comes to mind – one little bit leavens the entire loaf as it grows. Not everything that Luther believed and taught was wrong. But, those teachings that were erroneous have so thoroughly corrupted all of Protestantism that many people who believe in Jesus do Him great offense without even realizing it. Also, like the parable of the vine and its branches, once cut off they cease to be part of the vine and may be destined to burn in the fire. It is all very sad. We must pray for them and pray that we remain true to the teachings of the Church.
Judson Carroll is the author of several books, including his newest, A Daily Catholic Devotional, Reflections on the Daily Mass Readings January - June, 2026 It is Available in paperback on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FWJMD7CL
and
Confirmation, an Autobiography of Faith. It is also Available in paperback on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C47Q1JNK
His podcast is The Uncensored Catholic https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-uncensored-catholic