Today's Gospel reading sets a model for discerning God's will/plan for us. Joseph responded to God's call as in a dream to be the foster-father of Jesus, the Son of God. This was possible due to his total submission to God'' will. It was not easy then and not easy for us today. It demands the readiness to remain open always to the promptings of the Holy Spirit which may involve changing one's mind even in a previous decision. This echoes the way Mary responded in her YES in the Annunciation account.

As Christmas approaches, let our desire to be drawn closer to "Emmanuel" (God-is-with-us). Let us "not ... wander far from the crib of Jesus, so that, there be a greater simplicity in everything," (Nicolas Barre), even in our preparations for the celebration of this coming great feast. Let us take this word "Emmanuel" as the mantra in our prayer time these days.

Let us respond generously to God by getting involved in the lives of others especially the simple and poor or 'little ones' in our society. This is a step towards the fulfilment of God's Kingdom here on earth, i.e. to be immersed in our realities with the marginalized and rejected in our society.

Pope Francis says, "... Mission is to have passion for Jesus and the passion for the poor..."