Trust and faith are two of the main focal points in today’s readings. It takes a great deal of trust in God for Joseph to take heed of God’s advise and flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus so soon after Jesus’ birth. Joseph had to completely act on his faith in God to trust him and follow his command, and this extraordinary faith spared Jesus’ life. The Lord is always true to His word, and this is further illustrated in the Gospel when Herod massacres all the young boys in Bethlehem, and it is “fulfilled what had been said” through the prophet Jeremiah.

Placing all of my trust and faith in God often seems like a great risk to me. Fear of being let down and disappointed sometimes hinders me from truly placing all of my trust in God, but that is what God asks of us. It is our faith in God that permits us to respond to what He is calling us to do in this world.

The first reading emphasizes the importance of acknowledging our sins to both ourselves and to Christ. Recognizing and asking for forgiveness for our sins becomes much easier when we have faith in the Lord’s mercy and trust that Jesus “is expiation for our sins”. Our faith can only be fully lived out when we place all our faith and trust in the Lord.