Tag: Catholic Deacon

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Gifts of the Magi

Scene of the magi presenting gifts to the newborn Jesus

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The Epiphany of the Lord Mass Readings
First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6
Responsorial: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13
Second Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3A, 5-6
Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/010520.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Thank you for joining me today on Epiphany for another episode of deacon rudy’s notes. Just a reminder, we in the countdown to launch our new installments on Wednesdays called “All Things Catholic,” where together we will explore our faith and try to understand what it means to be Catholic. Don’t forget to send me your suggestions by clicking the comment form on the website www.deaconrudysnotes.org or by sending me an email to rudy@deaconrudysnotes.org.

This weekend we celebrate Epiphany, when the wise men presented their gifts to Jesus. These wise men, who were not Jewish, presented gifts for a king: gold, frankincense and myrrh. So, the first thing we can observe about the arrival of the Magi is that they affirm that Jesus came to save everyone – not just the Chosen.

But what do the gifts of the Magi mean for us today?

Well, I believe the second observation we can make about today’s readings is that Jesus is not king in response to our gifts. He came to humanity first, and in response we present our gifts to Him. That’s a very important point in understanding our faith. Whatever we do or offer is in response to the unmerited gift of God’s mercy and love.

I think the readings today challenge us to offer Jesus Christ our gifts just like the Magi. That’s the third observation today. But how do we do that? By following Jesus’ example. Jesus offered Himself for our salvation. So too, we can offer ourselves as a form of praise and worship. But how?

There are at least two ways that we can offer ourselves as gifts to the Lord.

First, we need to remember that Jesus established His church on earth. That church, whose mission it is to spread the good news of Jesus Christ, needs our talents and our financial contributions. So, we sacrifice time to volunteer to share our talents with the community. But our churches have to keep the lights on; they need to keep the heat running and staff to serve our communities. That means we need to sacrificially give of the financial blessings we’ve received to help the church in its mission.

But wait – there’s more! We can’t just phone-in our discipleship. Jesus left us two great commandments. We are to, “…love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind,” and we need to, “…love our neighbor as yourself,” (Matthew 22:37-39).

And who is our neighbor?

In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus tells us that everyone – everyone is our neighbor (see Luke 10:29-37). So, the second way that we offer ourselves as gifts is to reach out to those around us, like our family and friends, and every single person we encounter with love and compassion.

That has real implications for our everyday lives. We present our gifts in praise and worship to Jesus when we treat other people with dignity and respect (which are ways that we can show love). This can create opportunities for an encounter with Jesus Christ. We present empty gifts to Jesus when we do the opposite, that can actually lead people away from Jesus.

That means that when we treat other people like they don’t matter, especially people we disagree with like in politics, then we turn our backs on Jesus.

When we discriminate against someone because they don’t look or sound like us or because they are an immigrant (legal or illegal), we turn our back on Jesus.

When we discriminate against someone because of their sexual orientation, we turn our back on Jesus.

When we hoard possessions and fail to share with others who are less fortunate, we turn our back on Jesus.

Jesus teaches us time and again that our call is to reach out and meet people where they are, not to render judgment and scorn people. The gifts of the Magi challenge us to consider the gifts we bring to Jesus. That leads us to our HOMEWORK! Having been nourished by the Eucharist and in the Word of God proclaimed, I encourage you to reflect on the following two questions this week.

  1. The Magi presented their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. How do I share my gifts with those in need?
  2. The Magi asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews?” How can I help others encounter Christ?

I think doing our homework this week will help us grow in discipleship of Christ Jesus. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. +Amen!

References:

  1. Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.
  2. Mitch, Curtis, and Edward Sri. The Gospel Of Matthew. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2014.
  3. Williamson, Peter S. Ephesians. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011.

Catechism Links: Easily search the Catechism at http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm

  1. Epiphany, 528
  2. Holy Spirit manifesting Christ through Mary, 724
  3. The Father reveals the mystery by sending Christ, 50
  4. The Apostolic Tradition, 75-76
  5. A new People of God not based on physical descent, 781-82

Mass Readings http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/010520.cfm
First Reading Isaiah 60:1-6
Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come,
the glory of the Lord shines upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth,
and thick clouds cover the peoples;
but upon you the LORD shines,
and over you appears his glory.
Nations shall walk by your light,
and kings by your shining radiance.
Raise your eyes and look about;
they all gather and come to you:
your sons come from afar,
and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.

Then you shall be radiant at what you see,
your heart shall throb and overflow,
for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you,
the wealth of nations shall be brought to you.
Caravans of camels shall fill you,
dromedaries from Midian and Ephah;
all from Sheba shall come
bearing gold and frankincense,
and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

Responsorial
Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13.
R. (cf. 11) Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king’s son;
He shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts;
the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute.
All kings shall pay him homage,
all nations shall serve him.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Second Reading
Ephesians 3:2-3A, 5-6
Brothers and sisters:
You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace
that was given to me for your benefit,
namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation.
It was not made known to people in other generations
as it has now been revealed
to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit:
that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body,
and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Alleluia
Matthew 2:2
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 2:1-12
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,
in the days of King Herod,
behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
“Where is the newborn king of the Jews?
We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage.”
When King Herod heard this,
he was greatly troubled,
and all Jerusalem with him.
Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people,
He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea,
for thus it has been written through the prophet:
And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
since from you shall come a ruler,
who is to shepherd my people Israel.”
Then Herod called the magi secretly
and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance.
He sent them to Bethlehem and said,
“Go and search diligently for the child.
When you have found him, bring me word,
that I too may go and do him homage.”
After their audience with the king they set out.
And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them,
until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.
They were overjoyed at seeing the star,
and on entering the house
they saw the child with Mary his mother.
They prostrated themselves and did him homage.
Then they opened their treasures
and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod,
they departed for their country by another way.

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Feast of the Holy Family

Picture of the very large Ojeda family

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Mass Readings

First Reading: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
Responsorial: Psalm 128:1-5
Second Reading: Colossians 3:12-21
Gospel: Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/122919.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

As we wind down the year, we pause to celebrate the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph and today we have some great readings that offer guidance about how we should live our lives as disciples. Our faith is not limited to whatever time we spend in church. We need to carry our faith with us always – especially into our families. This time of year can be wonderful especially with visits from all sorts of family members. But, let’s be honest. Sometimes we can get on each other’s nerves pretty darn quick. So, today we pause and we sit at Jesus’ feet and allow Him to give us three examples of a wholesome family life.

In the first reading from Sirach otherwise known as Ecclesiasticus, we read: My child, help your father in his old age, and do not grieve him as long as he lives, even if his mind fails, be patient with him, because you have all your faculties do not despise him. For kindness to a father will not be forgotten, and will be credited to you against your sins, (Sirach 3:12-15). This excerpt comes from a modern translation the Bible by Nicholas King, a Jesuit priest from the UK.

I think this is a fairly straightforward text. I don’t believe that it’s harmful to apply this wisdom to both mothers and fathers. The idea of course is that no matter how much our parents might drive us nuts sometimes, we need to treat them with love and compassion. This is especially true for us today as people live longer and longer and the threat of dementia, senility and Alzheimer’s are quite real. Before Jesus passed away, he entrusted his mother to the beloved disciple to make sure that she would be cared for after he was gone. So, our first lesson is that kindness toward our parents and taking care of our parents in their old age will not be forgotten.

In our second reading today from Colossians, we hear that familiar line, “Wives, be subordinate to your husbands…” (Colossians 3:18), and of course that’s all we ever seem to remember from this reading. What’s Paul getting at?

Some might claim that this is just another manifestation of patriarchy, but I think saying that about Paul is a copout. It’s too easy to accuse Paul of saying something and moving on without actually digging into the Scripture. In the Catholic tradition, we call “digging into Scripture” lectio divina, which is a method for reading, meditating, contemplating and praying with Scripture. This text is not about patriarchy because Paul does two extraordinary things here. First, he addresses women directly. Now this flies in the face of Greco-Roman household codes where the father should be addressed. Second, he addresses her as a free agent. Both are extraordinary if not revolutionary ideas in the Greco-Roman world.

This subordination he speaks about is in the context of Christian community lived as the body of Christ. So, subordination in the Christian context is not like a lord and servant relationship. Rather, it is the harmonious cooperation of members so that the body can move as one. Anyone who has ever experienced tripping because your foot and leg went one direction and the rest of your body moved in the other direction can understand what I’m saying. Just as the foot is subordinate to and not independent of the leg and the body, so too is a woman subordinate to her husband. He says the man should love his wife and children should show respect to their parents. As a family, we move as one – not untethered leaves blowing in the wind. That’s our second lesson today.

And in today’s we find Gospel, the angel of the Lord comes to Joseph in a dream again. This time the angel tells Joseph to take Mary and Jesus and to flee because Herod was hunting Jesus. Later when the troubles are over, the angel tells Joseph in a dream to return to Israel.

How many times has the Lord tried to speak to us, but we didn’t recognize the Lord or understand the message? How many times have we simply dismissed the dream or superstition? No, this third lesson isn’t about dream interpretation. It’s about discernment. You see, discerning the will of God isn’t straightforward or clear – especially if God is trying to reach us through our dreams or through other people. So, the process of discernment means taking the idea and praying about it, but it also means discussing this idea with your family and perhaps close friends and even your pastor or spiritual director. (Just a side note, a spiritual director can be a priest or a deacon or a specially trained priest, deacon, consecrated religious or a lay person).

The point is and indeed the third lesson is that the family should be a safe place in which we can discern God’s will. It should be the kind of place where we are not afraid to share what we feel God is asking of us and getting input from our family. Of course, if a family is a safe place to discern God’s will, then it’s also the sort of trust-filled environment where we feel generally free to share other thoughts, feelings and ideas.

These three lessons about family life that we hear today (taking care of our parents when they are old, being a loving cohesive family community, and being a safe place to discern God’s will) are wonderful examples as we contemplate the Holy Family. Of course, our contemplation is enhanced by our homework!

After being nourished by the Word of God proclaimed and by the Eucharist, I encourage you to consider the following two questions this week:

  1. The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. How and where do I hear the voice of God and how can I be more attentive to Him?
  2. After considering the three examples of family life we learned today, what conversion of mind, heart and life is the Lord asking of me?

I think by doing our homework we get better insight into what it means to be a disciple rooted in family life. Do you got it? Do you get it? Then go make disciples!

One quick announcement before we part. Our new segment, “All Things Catholic,” will launch in mid to late January. It will appear in this same podcast feed every Wednesday, so there’s nothing special you need to do. Our first episode will hopefully set the stage for the show – let you know what we’ll be doing and why. But I’m totally open to any suggestions for subsequent shows. Please either use the comment form on the website or send me an email to rudy@deaconrudysnotes.org. I wish each of you a blessed Christmas season and a happy new year!

The Lord be with you! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

References:

  1. Barron, Robert. “Re: Daily Gospel Reflection (12/29/2019).” Message to Deacon Rudy Villarreal, et al. E-mail.
  2. Hamm, Dennis. Philippians, Colossians, Philemon. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2013.
  3. Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.
  4. Mitch, Curtis, and Edward Sri. The Gospel Of Matthew. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2014.
  1. Catechism Links: Easily search the Catechism at http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm
  2. Flight to Egypt, 530
  3. Angels in Jesus’ life, 333
  4. Love as bond, 1827
  5. Singing and music, 1156-58
  6. The Christian Family, 2201-31

Mass Readings:
First Reading
Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
God sets a father in honor over his children;
a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons.
Whoever honors his father atones for sins,
and preserves himself from them.
When he prays, he is heard;
he stores up riches who reveres his mother.
Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children,
and, when he prays, is heard.
Whoever reveres his father will live a long life;
he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother.

My son, take care of your father when he is old;
grieve him not as long as he lives.
Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him;
revile him not all the days of his life;
kindness to a father will not be forgotten,
firmly planted against the debt of your sins
—a house raised in justice to you.

Responsorial
Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5.
R. (cf. 1) Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,
who walks in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

Second Reading
2 Colossians 3:12-21
Brothers and sisters:
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Wives, be subordinate to your husbands,
as is proper in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives,
and avoid any bitterness toward them.
Children, obey your parents in everything,
for this is pleasing to the Lord.
Fathers, do not provoke your children,
so they may not become discouraged.

Alleluia Colossians 3:15A, 16A
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Let the peace of Christ control your hearts;
let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
When the magi had departed, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said,
“Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt,
and stay there until I tell you.

Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”
Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night
and departed for Egypt.
He stayed there until the death of Herod,
that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled,
Out of Egypt I called my son.

When Herod had died, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream
to Joseph in Egypt and said,
“Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel,
for those who sought the child’s life are dead.”
He rose, took the child and his mother,
and went to the land of Israel.
But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea
in place of his father Herod,
he was afraid to go back there.
And because he had been warned in a dream,
he departed for the region of Galilee.
He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth,
so that what had been spoken through the prophets
might be fulfilled,
He shall be called a Nazorean.

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Joseph’s Dream

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Fourth Sunday of Advent Mass Readings

First Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14
Responsorial: Psalm 24:1-6
Second Reading: Romans 1:1-7
Gospel: Matthew 1:18-24

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/122219.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Christmas is only a few days away. Now this is wildly important! The central claim of Christianity is that God became human. The creator of the universe and master of all chose to become just like you and just like me in every way except sin. He came not in a great city of the world, but in a tiny little town as a helpless baby. As G.K. Chesterton observed, the heart of even the most skeptical person is changed simply for having heard this message.

But the mystery of the incarnation is not just something that happened on Christmas Day. God comes to dwell among us all the time, in many different forms and in many different ways. Do we see Him? Today holy mother Church gives us “The Annunciation to Joseph”, a selection from Matthew’s account where the angel of the Lord comes to Joseph in a dream. Let’s reflect on Joseph then as we make final preparations for Christmas.

Joseph learns that Mary is pregnant. Can you imagine it? Can you put yourself into Joseph’s shoes? What must Joseph had thought? Do you think he felt hurt and was sad? Was he embarrassed? Was he angry?

The person you’re engaged to gets pregnant by someone else (or you learn your fiancé got someone else pregnant). Imagine that just for a second. How do you think you would feel? What would you say? What would you do? What would you say to your fiancé? What would you post about your fiancé on social media?

Scripture tells us that Joseph was a decent man. He didn’t make a scene or reject her publicly. No, rather than see her harmed, Joseph makes arrangements to divorce her quietly. But before he does anything, he sleeps on it. There is great wisdom in giving our emotions the space of one day – of allowing our emotions to filter through the sands of our sleep. And it is during his sleep that the angel of the Lord comes to him in a dream.

The angel tells Joseph not to be afraid to take Mary into his home because it is by the Holy Spirit that she has become pregnant. The angel reminds Joseph about the prophecy: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us,” (Matthew 1:23).

So, one day you wake up after having a powerful dream like Joseph’s. What would you think about it? Some people would dismiss it as just a dream – such nonsense! Maybe we call these people scoffers or perhaps we call them realists. They will not invest much if any thought in a mere dream no matter how powerful.

Others might recognize the opportunity in their dreams. Perhaps they recognize that the Holy Spirit is reminding them of their true calling in life, but they decide to do nothing. Perhaps they think the dream is too good to be true. They choose to do nothing because doing something is filled with risk. It might mean risking everything you’ve worked for – your security, your savings, your career. These people choose to do nothing.

Still others recognize the meaning of their dream and they wake with energy and a renewed purpose. They seize the moment and step out the front door ready to face the adventure – the life that God has planned for them.

Was it easy for Joseph to wake and to decide to take Mary into his home? He recognized the grace coming to him through his dream, so he set aside any thought about disgrace or shame and he agreed to do as the angel instructed him.

Sometimes we doubt. Sometimes we close the ears of our hearts to the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we fail to do what is right. Sometimes we don’t know what to do, and so we miss a moment of grace. We miss an encounter with Emmanuel – God with us.

So, as Advent draws to a close, may we follow Joseph’s example and learn to recognize the many forms of God’s presence among us – not just on Christmas, but all the time.

Homework! After basking in the presence of God through Scripture and the Eucharist, let’s reflect on the following two questions in these final days before Christmas.

  1. Joseph was a righteous man. How do my actions testify to my faith? How can I be more active in pursuing justice and righteousness in this world?
  2. Do not be afraid. What fears keep me from following God’s will for me? How can I grow in trust in God’s loving providence?

I think doing our homework will help us as disciples learn to recognize and to trust Emmanuel – God among us. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

References:

  1. Barron, Robert. “Re: Advent Gospel Reflection.” Message to Deacon Rudy Villarreal, et al. E-mail.
  2. Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.
  3. Mitch, Curtis, and Edward Sri. The Gospel Of Matthew. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2014.
  4. “The Fourth Sunday of Advent.” Pray As You Go. https://pray-as-you-go.org/player/prayer/2019-12-22 (accessed 22 December 2019).

Catechism Links: Easily search the Catechism at http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm

  1. Angels in Jesus’ life, 333
  2. Jesus’ name, 430, and 452
  3. Royal lineage, 437
  4. Conceived by the Holy Spirit, 484-86, and 497
  5. Jesus conceived by the Holy Spirit, 744

Mass Readings:
First Reading
Isaiah 7:10-14
The LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying:
Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God;
let it be deep as the netherworld, or high as the sky!
But Ahaz answered,
“I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!”
Then Isaiah said:
Listen, O house of David!
Is it not enough for you to weary people,
must you also weary my God?
Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign:
the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,
and shall name him Emmanuel.

Responsorial
Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6.
R. (7c and 10b) Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.
The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
R. Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
One whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
R. Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R. Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.

Second Reading
Romans 1:1-7
Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus,
called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God,
which he promised previously through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,
the gospel about his Son, descended from David according to the flesh,
but established as Son of God in power
according to the Spirit of holiness
through resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Through him we have received the grace of apostleship,
to bring about the obedience of faith,
for the sake of his name, among all the Gentiles,
among whom are you also, who are called to belong to Jesus Christ;
to all the beloved of God in Rome, called to be holy.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Alleluia Matthew 1:23
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 1:18-24
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 fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means “God is with us.”
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.