Matthew 1: 18-24
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
“Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,”
which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Astounded by Emmanuel
Is there anything the Holy Spirit can’t do?!
Seemingly again and again, “the love shared between Father and Son” is able to pull off the impossible. Yet, even with such an impeccable track record, we are tempted to doubt that God still desires to do good for and with us. For those of us who are skeptical or want proof, all we have to do is look to the manger. Let’s wait and see – and in a few days, be astounded by the presence of Emmanuel.
—Joe Ertle, SJ, is a Jesuit scholastic of the Midwest Province currently studying philosophy at the ITESO, a Jesuit university in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Prayer
God, you who long to be with me, help me long to be with you.
Amen.
—Joe Ertle, SJ
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Pray with the monthly prayer intentions of the pope.