Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck
A reflection on the Gospel of Matthew 1:18-24
My friends, as we continue our journey through Advent, the Church invites us to look deeply at what it means to welcome Christ into our homes and our hearts right here and right now. Advent isn’t simply a time of waiting; it’s a season of recognizing that God is with us, even before the manger, and even in the messy and mysterious corners of our lives.
Let me begin with a story about a man named Jared. Maybe some of you can relate. Jared never thought of himself as a “church guy,” let alone someone who mentors children. He kept his life tidy and God at a respectful distance — present, but not too close. But when a friend asked him to become part of the “Big Brother” program as a mentor to Marcus, a quiet twelve-year-old whose father wasn’t around, Jared’s first instinct was to say no. He wasn’t good with kids, and his own childhood wounds still hurt. Despite his hesitation, he said yes.
Their first meetings were awkward and silent. Jared wondered if he was wasting anyone’s time. But gradually, things shifted. They fixed bikes together, swapped jokes, and looked at books about dinosaurs; and one evening, Marcus looked up at him and asked, “Why do you care?” Jared answered honestly: “I needed someone once too. And I think God cares, even when it’s hard to feel it.”
By stepping out of his comfort zone, Jared discovered something remarkable — Marcus found steadiness and friendship, and Jared’s own heart began to heal. Through his willingness to show up, with all his doubts, both Jared and Marcus were changed. God was with them — present in every hesitant step, every awkward pause, and every act of uncertain kindness.
Joseph’s Yes and the Promise of Emmanuel: God Is With Us in Every Season
This brings us to today’s Gospel (Matthew 1:18-24). Joseph also faces an overwhelming, uncomfortable situation. His plans for a simple life with Mary are derailed by a mysterious pregnancy. Joseph, a just man, aims to do the right thing quietly, enduring heartbreak with dignity. God, through an angel, calls him: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. …They shall name him Emmanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”
This is more than a story about a first-century couple. It’s an invitation to welcome the sacred, the mysterious, and even the unsettling into our lives. At the heart of Advent is the call to prepare a real space for Christ — not just in our routines, but deep in our hearts. The Child’s name, Emmanuel, matters. God is with us — not only in years past or sometime in the future, but right now, in the thick of our lives.
Joseph could not see how everything would turn out. He didn’t have the answers. He only knew God was asking him to trust, to act in love. With Joseph’s faithful “yes,” God entered the world in a way no one could’ve predicted. God was with Joseph through every anxious night, every difficult conversation, every step into the unknown.
Advent is about courageous hospitality. Joseph welcomed Mary and Jesus, even in his confusion and fear. We, too, are called to welcome Christ, who arrives in unexpected, sometimes uncomfortable, ways. Just as Jared welcomed Marcus, God sometimes invites us into messy,
unpredictable, or even painful places. But real transformation happens in those moments, because God is with us there, reshaping our hearts.
Meeting Emmanuel in Daily Life and the Eucharist
So how do we open the door for Christ in our lives? The Holy Spirit nudges us: forgive even when it’s hard, serve even when we are unsure, speak up for someone, welcome the outsider, or simply pray in the middle of struggle. These opportunities often arise when we’d rather protect ourselves and keep God at a distance. But each small “yes” becomes a space for God’s presence to flourish — every act of courage, generosity, and humility lets Emmanuel, God-with-us, enter the world.
And most of all, every time we gather for Mass and receive the Eucharist, we experience — in the most real and intimate way — that God is with us. Jesus is truly present, offering Himself in love, strengthening us to carry His presence into the world.
Don’t be afraid to let faith disrupt your routines, or to open your heart to God when you feel unsure. God’s greatest gifts come when we risk trusting Him, as Joseph, Mary, and even Jared did. Our smallest yeses — vulnerable and imperfect — become signs that God is already here, working in and through us.
We can together thank our Lord for sending Jesus and the Holy Spirit, who encourage us to love each day. As Christmas approaches, don’t worry about being perfectly prepared. Just as Joseph’s “yes” changed history, your yes — your openness — is enough for God. Emmanuel has come. God is with us, and His presence transforms our smallest acts into something extraordinary.
About Our Guest Blogger
Saint Carlo Acutis once said, “Not me, but God.” His words echo deeply in my own spiritual life. This blog is not about me, but about the work of the Holy Spirit. I choose to remain anonymous because the voice behind these reflections isn’t what matters — the One speaking through them is.
I am a lifelong Catholic with a deep love for Scripture, the sacraments, and the quiet ways God speaks through everyday life. Live the Eucharist was born from my desire to share how the Gospel and the Eucharist shape not just my Sundays, but every step of the journey.
My hope is that these reflections bless you, challenge you, and draw you closer to Jesus — truly present in the Eucharist and profoundly present in your daily life.
