Father, today's reading below reminds me of the tremendous pressure than Mary must have been under to assume such a responsibility that You gave to her. To have been unwed and pregnant in those days must have been quite remarkable. She did have a heavy burden to carry and she carried it well. She not only accepted responsibility for the birth of Jesus, she accepted responsibility for her own Life and took care of herself, never for a second losing ground, Faith or trust in You, knowing full well that she could be rejected at any time by Joseph, his family, her family or the community. This was a dangerous situation and she held strong in her belief, Faith and trust. And Joseph, the Faith and trust that he must have had knowing that he had not impregnated her must have been torturing for him. Father, thank You for reminding me what firm belief, Faith and trust looks like through the actions and reactions of Mary and Joseph. Not only were they committed to You and Your Word, they accepted the responsibility You gave them. I will use Mary and Joseph as a model of action and behavior in my own Life.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

Matthew 1:18-25

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit;

19 and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

20 But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit;

21 she will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."

22 All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23 "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and His name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us).

24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife,

25 but knew her not until she had borne a Son; and he called His name Jesus.

The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ

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