12.21.13

   
Lectio:  Mt 1.18-24                                         

Meditatio: “Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph but before they lived together, she was found with child through the holy Spirit.” Mt. 1.18
                  
Oratio: O God, what a man You selected as the husband for Mary - Joseph, a holy and righteous man who lived in accord with the tenets of his religion.

I remember after Joseph was betrothed - the first part of marriage - but before he took Mary into his home - the second part of marriage - he discovered that Mary was pregnant. This was  an offense, if exposed, which amounted to adultery and was punishable by stoning to death.- But Joseph listened to the angel sent to him and instead of divorcing her, he took her into his home and saved Mary from death and saved Jesus so that Jesus could save the world.

Grant that I may respond to the angels you place in my life - those who show compassion; and in seek the grace to be a person of compassion for others.

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: "Mary betrothed... with child”; the first part of the marriage contract had taken place when Mary was found with child; how hard it must have been for Joseph to believe an angel who said that she had conceived the child through the holy Spirit; yet Joseph believed to the benefit of all; in prayer ask for the grace of a strong faith which allows me to accept things to wonderful for me to understand yet which God reveals for my good or for the good of others.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 1.57-66