Advent Series - New Encounter - Seven

In the Mountains - William Kurelek

Sunday Week Three
Lectio	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. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.  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 your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."  All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means "God is with us." When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus. Mt 1:18-25
Meditatio	We begin this Third Week of Advent in Matthew's gospel as he begins to tell the story of "...how the birth of Jesus Christ came about." In those days, the period of engagement of marriage was to last for one year. The marriage covenant had begun, but before the couple lived together, this one year waiting period would prove that the betrothed was indeed a virgin and that any child conceived would be that of the husband. Should a conception occur it prove infidelity and adultery on the part of the woman. The engagement would be broken and the woman publicly disgraced. Matthew does not give us many details how this unfolded with Joseph and Mary. But that provides us with a wonderful opportunity to explore this in prayer. "... she was found with child." Did Mary explain her pregnancy; how it was the work of God? Did Joseph believe her?   "... since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly." Does this tell us that Joseph did believe Mary, and did not want to interfere with God's divine plan, so he made it look like he was the one responsible for the breakup?   "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home." Indeed, Joseph, God has given you an important role to fulfill in this plan - "She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."  Indeed, there is so much in the verses for us to ponder. And we might well ask, "Lord, have you plans for my life going forward?"
Oratio	O Lord, how slow I am to believe that my life too is in your hands. You have a plan for me too. Each day your provident hand reaches into my life, guiding me by your Holy Spirit. Help me to believe, to see and understand, so that I may cooperate more fully as this mystery that is my life unfolds.
Contemplatio	"... the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream ..."

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Beginning December 17th. the "O" Antiphons are featured in the liturgies of the final week of Advent. They sing with joyful anticipation the wondrous graces that await us. They are a rich resource for our prayer in these final days of Advent. In an earlier post I explored the O Antiphons in greater detail. Here is the link to that post. /// LINK \\\

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