12.17.13

Lectio:  Mt   1.18-25                                                                                                                                                                                 
Meditatio: “Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived by her’.” Mt 1.20

Oratio: O God, You are so kind and considerate of us and you do not expect us to know and accept things of which we have no knowledge nor could have knowledge of.

I remember You sent an angel to Joseph to tell him that he should take Mary as his wife and that her pregnancy was through the holy Spirit - How he must have been mystified by such a message! But wonderfully and with Your grace he accepted it and Mary and Jesus had a proper home in which Your plan of salvation would unfold.

Grant that I may have the grace to accept the mysteries of faith which the church presents to  me for You have given the Pope and the bishops in union with him infallibility in all matters of faith and morals.

I ask this and all things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You
and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: spend some time in silence and meditate on the selected passage and hear what
God is saying to you.

Operatio: reflect: "Joseph...afraid...take Mary”; God enlightens us in wonderful ways in order that His plans might be carried out; how wonderful that He revealed to Joseph the role of the holy Spirit for at that time the Holy Spirit was not known by people of faith; thus, Joseph showed great faith in accepting the angel’s explanation and to the benefit of all down through the ages.. In prayer seek the grace to always rejoice in the role of St. Joseph for he acted with great faith and we are the  beneficiaries of his faith and seek his protection now and at the hour of our death.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 1.5-25