In chapter 1 of Matthew’s gospel, we see the theme Matthew repeats throughout: That the kingdom of God is founded on a sense of justice that is beyond the letter of the law.
Joseph discovers that Mary is pregnant with a child not his own and so, being a righteous man, he first looks at the letter of the law, which says he has the right to have her stoned. He waives this right in favor of a quiet dismissal. However, he further searches his heart for a solution that goes beyond rules and laws and finds at last the true path of love.
May we all be open to following Joseph’s example.
Namaste! Amen!
The Readings
2 Samuel 7:4-5a,12-14a,16
Psalm 89:2-5,27,29
Romans 4:13,16-18,22
Matthew 1:16,18-21,24a
And to Jacob was born Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.
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.’ When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife.
The reading is from the website below.
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