MONDAY, DEC 18
Matthew 1:18-25
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.
Grace: I ask for the grace to know Jesus in a deeper way that I may abundantly love and follow him.
Today’s narrative of the conception and birth of Jesus paints an important portrait of the identity of the coming Messiah. The account begins with the mysterious conception of Jesus: Mary was “found with child by the Holy Spirit.” Mary’s pregnancy was understandably disturbing to Joseph since they had not yet consummated their marriage.
As Joseph prepared to discretely divorce Mary, he had a dream in which an “angel of the Lord” revealed the divine source of Jesus’ conception: “It is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.” This two-fold repetition of the Holy Spirit’s role in Jesus’ conception in vv. 18 and 20 emphasizes the divinity of Jesus. As the Nicene creed affirms: Jesus is “very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father.”
It is important to remember that Jesus’ divinity does not negate his full humanity. As we read in John’s Gospel: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” [1:14]. The Nicene Creed also affirms that Jesus was “incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.” Why is Jesus’ full humanity so critical for Christian faith and practice? The author of Hebrews highlights one reason: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help” [4:15-16]. Because Jesus was fully human and has experienced the full range of human temptations, he understands and empathizes with our struggles as embodied human beings striving to live faithful lives.
Finally, the angelic messenger also revealed to Joseph the name that he should give to the coming child: “Jesus.” The name “Jesus” is rooted in the Hebrew word meaning “Yahweh helps.” Jesus can save because he is fully divine and fully human. He is Emmanuel or “God with us.” Take a moment to worship him and share your joys and struggles with him.
For Reflection and Prayer:
Recall a time in your life when you have been able to do the will of the Lord…What fears did you encounter?
The Contributor:
Cliff Knighten, Ph.D. Candidate, is a faculty member at Oblate School of Theology and the Institute for the Study of Christian Spirituality where he directs the Master of Arts in Spirituality degree program. Cliff earned a Master of Divinity in Biblical Studies from Denver Seminary and completed a Master of Arts in Spirituality at Oblate School of Theology. He is also a trained spiritual director and a member of the Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality and the American Academy of Religion.
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Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.