THIS CHILD HAS BEEN CONCEIVED IN HER

Mic 5,1-4a opp. Rm 8,28-30; Ps 12; Mt 1,1-16.18-23
8 SEPTEMBER
The Virgin Mary, while engaged with Joseph, before they went to live together, is pregnant through the work of the Holy Spirit. Joseph is a just man. In his heart he thinks to withdraw from the life of Mary, without causing her any harm. What he lives in his heart has not been revealed to us. It is not relevant to the history of salvation. Instead, it is necessary to know that in justice right, good and holy things are always thought. Things that do not do any harm are chosen. It is also important to know that when God begins a work, He always brings it to fulfilment, according to his eternal plan. Why does not Joseph accept the revelation of Mary? Because his life must also be handed over entirely to God. As it happened with Mary, so it must take place with him. Mary is called to virginal motherhood. Joseph will also be called to the virginal paternity. Mary conceived in her womb through the work of the Holy Spirit. Joseph too will have to conceive Christ Jesus in his heart, in his spirit and in his soul through the work of the Holy Spirit. Mary conceived Christ physically without Joseph. Joseph will conceive Christ in his soul, without Mary. Thus Jesus is equally the son of Mary and of Joseph, even if through different ways. The Spirit of God operates everything in them. The Father has chosen Mary. The Father has chosen Joseph. The Spirit generates the Word in the womb of Mary. The Holy Spirit generates the Word in the heart and soul of Joseph. Everything is God’s work.

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king. David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile. After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah.  Now 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 fulfil 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.”

Why was God able to manifest and realize all his divine will in Mary and in Joseph? He was because Mary is full of grace. Grace prevents any resistance of sin. The more we grow in grace and the more the Lord’s action is powerful in us. Grace eliminates the force of seduction and temptation. Joseph is a just man, that is, a person that lives in the constant search of the will of God. This justice prevents him from causing any harm to Mary. This same justice helps him to readily accept the will of his God on his person. This is their secret: grace and justice, growth in grace and justice. A soul, a heart that grows in grace and justice, is always ready to welcome the will of God.

Obedient Virgin, Angels and Saints ensure that Christians grow from grace to grace.