Matthew 1:16,18-21,24 NRSVue

¹⁶and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, who bore Jesus, who is called the Messiah.^,

¹⁸Now 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 pregnant from the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly. ²⁰But 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. ²¹She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

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

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Reflection on Matthew 1:16,18-21,24

Inspiration from 2025-03-19 Daily Prayer

It can often happen that people who are living good and upright lives can find themselves in difficult circumstances. Joseph here faces a dilemma. In his genuine caring for Mary he did not want her to be shamed in the village, even though it appeared that she had been unfaithful to him. But God never forsakes us. If we continue to trust him, he will show us a way out of our difficulties. Let us look back at various crises in our lives and see the hand of God in their resolution, and give him thanks.