December 19, 2010

First Reading:
Isaiah 7:10-14

10And the Lord spoke again to Achaz, saying:
11 Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God either unto the depth of hell, or unto the height above.
12 And Achaz said: I will not ask, and I will not tempt the Lord.
13 And he said: Hear ye therefore, O house of David: Is it a small thing for you to be grievous to men, that you are grievous to my God also?
14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel.

Second Reading:
Romans 1:1-7

1Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
2 Which he had promised before, by his prophets, in the holy scriptures,
3 Concerning his Son, who was made to him of the seed of David, according to the flesh,
4Who was predestinated the Son of God in power, according to the spirit of sanctification, by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead;
5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith, in all nations, for his name;
6 Among whom are you also the called of Jesus Christ:
7 To all that are at Rome, the beloved of God, called to be saints. Grace to you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel:
Matthew 1:18-24

18Now the generation of Christ was in this wise. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost.
19 Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name JESUS. For he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying:
23 Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 And Joseph rising up from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife.

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Study Page

Overview of the Gospel:

   * Three weeks ago, we heard the Annunciation as the gospel reading for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception; we now hear about Joseph and his reaction to the news.

   * Knowing he was not the father of the child being carried by Mary (that, in fact, she had conceived of the Holy Spirit; see verse 18), but not wanting to subject her to the harsh Jewish penalties for adultery (Deuteronomy 24:1-4, 22:20-23), Joseph planned to pursue the milder option of divorcing her quietly.

   * He is prevented from doing so by an angel who appears to him in a dream. The angel, addressing him as “son of David” reminds him of his lineage in the house of King David through whom the promised Messiah would come (2 Samuel 7:12).

   * Thus the word of the prophet Isaiah (verses 22-23; Isaiah 7:14) was fulfilled: that Jesus would be born of the house of David, Mary is the Virgin who will give birth to him, and that his conception is miraculous, through the Spirit of God. Jesus is Emmanuel, a name which means “God is with us.” Jesus is the God who is always with us: in his first Advent (John 1:1, 14), until the Second Advent (Matthew 28:20), and forever in eternity (Revelation 21:3-4).


Questions:

   * In the 1st reading, King Ahaz was insincere in not wanting a sign from God. But if God chose to give you a sign, would you accept it—even if meant changing your life because of it?

   * In the 2nd reading in verses 2—4, where does St. Paul say the Gospel message originated? What two things does he affirm about Jesus? How do these all relate to the mystery of his coming into the world that we will celebrate next week at Christmas?

   * How would you feel in Joseph’s place in verse 19? In verses 20-21? What would you say to your family and friends? To God?

   * What reason does Matthew give as to why Jesus was born (verse 21; see Luke 1:67-79)?

   * Matthew quotes Isaiah 7:14 and applies it to Jesus: How has the name “Emmanuel” been fulfilled in Jesus?

   * What is most striking to you in this story of Jesus’ conception? How have you experienced Jesus as Emmanuel this Advent?

   * What is the importance of the detail that Joseph “woke from sleep” as he was considering his relationship with Mary? What events in your life have entailed a similar “waking from sleep”? What happened as a result?

   * What do you learn about trust and faith from Joseph?

* How would you feel in Joseph’s place in verse 19? In verses 20-21? What would you say to your family and friends? To God?

I am sure I would have been quite upset, at least at first.  I would have felt absolutely betrayed, knowing there is only one (natural) way to wind up pregnant.  If we follow the tradition that Mary was a consecrated virgin, it would have been even more of a slap in the face!! Not only did she break her vow of virginity, she didn't even do it with him.  In ant case, Joseph must have sensed something "special" about the Immaculate Conception, even if he didn't know she was sinless.  So it would have just been horribly painful and humiliating to think about what he thought she did.  Joseph handled things perfectly, however, balancing obedience to the law with the compassion and affection he must have had for Mary.

Once the angel came and revealed the truth, I would have been so relieved - at first, that is, then reality would have set in.  Great, Mary was faithful!  She really was something special, just as Joseph knew deep down.  Of course, then you have the overwhelming realization of what this all means - you have been chosen of all men, of all time to raise and be guardian to the Son of God!  I would have been a little worried about measuring up to that task.  I would guess, however, that Joseph (being a righteous man and all) put his trust in God, that he would receive the graces he needed to get the job done.

What to tell friends and family - that is a tough one.  Who is going to believe that a poor Jewish girl and a carpenter from Nazareth would be parents to the Messiah?  After all, "Can any thing of good come from Nazareth?"  I think I would be inclined to tell people nothing.  Let them come to their own conclusions - which they will anyway, no matter what you tell them.  And those who are true friends, and good family members, will support you.

I love this particular passage because it does give us a small window into the heart of Joseph who we see so little of in the scriptures.  I have some problems with the movie The Nativity Story (as many Catholics do), but one of the things that really struck me about that movie is the portrayal of Joseph as he sees Mary return from visiting Elizabeth with an obvious "bump", wrestles with what to do and is finally visited by the angel.  We really have a lot to learn from his example.  When things seem impossible at first, turn to God and have faith because he will see you through.

* What reason does Matthew give as to why Jesus was born (verse 21; see Luke 1:67-79)?

Real simple reason why Jesus was born: to save us ALL from our sins. You, me, pagans, atheists, each and every one of us. It is God's gift of everlasting love he gives to us. We must be willing to accept this marvelous gift.

Luke tells us about Jesus' coming into the world in "Zechariah's Song" where the father of John the Baptist praises God for the coming of the Messiah. This is also called the  Benedictus (or Canticle of Zachary). The Benedictus was the song of thanksgiving uttered by Zechariah on the occasion of the birth of his son, John the Baptist, the prophet and herald of the savior.

Notice how family and lineage is so important, especially the line of King David. When St. Joseph is troubled by our Blessed Lady being with child, in St. Joseph's dream the angel reminds him that he, St. Joseph, is also of the House of David.

Look at the magnificent parallels here! Our Blessed Mother freely consents and agrees to be "a handmaid of the Lord," in our Savior's birth and complimenting her absolute obediance to God, St. Joseph, likewise, obeys. Each of their human free wills chose to be conformed to God's wishes. What beauty. What truth. What power.



"St. Joseph, exemplar of true manhood and strong protector of the family, pray for us!"