Gospel: Matthew 1:18-24
This is how Jesus Christ was born: Mary his mother had been given to Joseph in marriage, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.
Then Joseph, her husband, made plans to divorce her in all secrecy. He was an upright man, and in no way did he want to disgrace her.
While he was pondering over this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She has conceived by the Holy Spirit, and now she will bear a son. You shall call him ‘Jesus’ for he will save his people from their sins.”
All this happened in order to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: The virgin will conceive and bear a son, and he will be called Emmanuel, which means: God­with us. When Joseph awoke, he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do, and he took his wife to his home.

Lectio Divina
READ: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary…” (Mt 1: 20)
REFLECT: We honor St. Joseph in the Gospel today. Joseph is a man of silence yet of noble deeds. Greatness is not in the words being spoken. It is how we make our life as a witness to those words. When Joseph found out that Mary was pregnant, he did not want to disgrace her publicly. By this, Joseph is defined in the Gospel as a righteous man. He is a person who does what is right. A principle influenced by his inner relationship with God. Even before Joseph realized his plan, the angel appeared to him in a dream. The angel told Joseph of the plan of God for him. It is not only the fiat of Mary that took an important part in the history of salvation. It is also the response of Joseph. The first reading Isaiah prophesied already about the coming of the savior “Emma­nuel”. Joseph just acceded to the plan of the Father. God has a plan for each one of us. He has that plan even before we were born. However, he needs our response. Mary and Joseph gave their “yes”. We need also to give our consent to God. Let us allow ourselves to be open to his will.
PRAY: “Lord may we be guided by St. Joseph the foster father of Jesus, to be able to give pro­tection and care for all those given us under our care.”
ACT: Let us look eagerly and critically whether or not we are giving care to the people given us.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2019