1st Reading: 2 S 7:4–5a, 12–14a, 16
2nd Reading: Rom 4:13, 16–18, 22
Gospel: Mt 1:16, 18–21, 24a (or Lk 2:41–51a)

Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and from her came Jesus who is called the Christ—the Messiah.
This is how Jesus Christ was born. Mary his mother had been given to Joseph in marriage but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.
Then Joseph, her husband, made plans to divorce her in all secrecy. He was an upright man, and in no way did he want to discredit her.
While he was pondering over this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She has conceived by the Holy Spirit, and now she will bear a son. You shall call him ‘Jesus’ for he will save his people from their sins.”
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do and he took his wife to his home.

Commentary

“On the third day they found him in the Temple, sitting with the Jewish teachers, listening to them and asking questions.”

By listening and asking questions,
by giving ourselves to the conscious pursuit
of the spiritual life
we, too, grow in wisdom, age and grace.
Then we are ready to do God’s work
God’s way.________

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