Tag: G.K. Chesterton

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6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

picture of tree with extensive exposed root system

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Mass Readings

First Reading: Sirach 15:15-20
Responsorial: Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:6-10
Gospel: Matthew 5:17-37

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021620.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

G.K. Chesterton said, “There are an infinite number of ways to fall, but there is only one way to stand.”

Brothers and sisters in today’s readings, we talk about the law. In our first reading today from Sirach, we hear that we should choose and keep the commandments because they will save us. And indeed, today in the Church, we look at the commandments, as part of that core of what it means to be believers in the one true God. The commandments are not negotiable.

But we need to exercise caution. We need to avoid the trap of becoming robots or slaves to the law. The law does not represent a checklist. It’s so much more than that.

Building on our second reading from last week, St. Paul tells us that God’s law – that Scripture is a source of Wisdom that can transform our lives. Last week Paul says he came to the Corinthians trembling, but in the very next chapter Paul begins to show us that the scandalous cross can produce much fruit. Wisdom is a powerful fruit that can guide the way we live and work today, but we can’t learn that from the world. “Eye has not seen, and ear has not heard…what God has prepared for those who love him,” (1 Cor 2:9).

Scripture and Tradition, then, are sources of Wisdom that can transform our lives. Why do I say transform? Discipleship is not about checklists or keeping score. No! Authentic discipleship requires conversion of heart and mind. That’s what Jesus is talking about in today’s Gospel. He doesn’t just rattle off a list of commandments. He kicks it up a notch and frankly makes life a little uncomfortable for a lot of us.

Discipleship is not about following the letter of the law externally for all the world to see. Discipleship is about being transformed by the law and living the law internally. He gives examples of what he means. “Thou shall not kill,” isn’t just about murder. If we gossip – if through the things we say we harm someone’s reputation, then it’s as if we murdered them. You shouldn’t commit adultery, but if you lust after someone else, then for all practical purposes, you have committed adultery.

We cannot reduce the law to a series of traffic signs or to a series of intellectual concepts. Living the law comes from the heart. We internalize the law. We are transformed by the law. That is how we acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

To internalize the law means that we need to examine our lives to identify the root causes of sin in our lives. That’s the great challenge before us. It’s not about gossiping or adultery or oath-taking as much as it trying to understand what it is that is causing us to gossip, or lust after others or desire to take oaths in secret societies, and then trying to eliminate those sources of sinfulness from our lives.

Now, this is very important for us to consider. We might not be capable of accomplishing these tasks on our own. For whatever reasons, it might be difficult to identify root causes of sin in our lives and/or eliminate them from our lives. What are we to do? We need to acknowledge that we might need a little help. This isn’t an excuse for our spouses or significant others to sit us down and tell us what we’re doing wrong.

All kidding aside, I think that the first thing we should do is turn to the Holy Spirit. We need to pray that the Spirit help us and guide us to take our blinders off or our rose-colored glasses through we see our lives off so that we can see who we really are – the good, the bad and the ugly.

I do think we could turn to our spouses or significant others and out of a spirit of love compassion have this sort of conversation. We need to be sensitive because we know how to push each other’s buttons easily, so we do this with kid gloves.

We can bring this to spiritual direction before we go to confession. We can schedule some time with a priest, deacon, consecrated religious brother or sister or a specially trained lay person. They will have the training to help us listen attentively to the Holy Spirit as we go through this process.

We can also turn to professional help like authentically Christian psychiatrists, psychologists and therapists (social workers, LPCs, etc.). Why authentically Christian? Well, there’s a wide variety of therapists and counselors out there. I would encourage you to pick someone whose values and faith are aligned with your own.

Now before you roll your eyes at these suggestions, there are two points I want to make. This world we live in tries to convince us that we are alone – that we have to figure everything out by ourselves. But our faith tells us we are not alone. We are part of a community of believers, so we can and should turn to the community for help and the community includes our spouses, friends, spiritual directors, counselors, etc.

The second point I want to make is that so often the very people we admire, like successful business people, movie stars, athletes and the like, seldom achieve their goals without help. Very often they have a coach or a variety of coaches to help them stay focused. If the people we admire have coaches, how can any of us feel shame in seeking out a coach to help us?

Through the work of the Holy Spirit and with the help of our coaches, we can be able to identify root causes of sin in our lives, bring our sin to confession, to be healed and reconciled. I know that sounds like a lot, but believe it or not, there is a process to internalizing God’s law. The question is, are you willing to walk the walk?

Daniel Burke in his book, Journey to God, has a great spiritual self-evaluation form that is an excellent place to begin. Unfortunately, the form is only available in his book in the chapter, “My Root Sin.” I’ll include a link in the notes. Full disclosure – I do not currently receive any compensation for referrals. I just think it’s a good resource. https://www.amazon.com/Journey-God-Dan-Burke/dp/193750980X/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=journey+to+god&qid=1580742685&sr=8-2

Ok, now that that’s out of the way, it’s time for homework! Nourished by the Word of God and by the Eucharist, I would like you to reflect on the following two questions.

  1. What behaviors in my life prevent me from fully internalizing God’s law?
  2. How would I describe the causes of sin in my life to someone else?

I think doing our homework will help us kick our discipleship up a notch. Do you got it? Do you get it? Then 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, 2010.
  3. Montague, George T. SM. First Corinthians. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011.

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

  1. Jesus fulfilling the Law, 577, 581, 1967-68, 2053-54
  2. Anger, 2302
  3. Sacrament of confession, 1424, 1456
  4. Forgiveness, 2608, 2841, 2845
  5. Divorce and adultery, 443, 2336, 2380
  6. Oaths, 2153
  7. Love of enemies, 2302, 2844

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 76
Mass Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021620.cfm
First Reading Sirach 15:15-20
If you choose you can keep the commandments, they will save you;
if you trust in God, you too shall live;
he has set before you fire and water
to whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand.
Before man are life and death, good and evil,
whichever he chooses shall be given him.
Immense is the wisdom of the Lord;
he is mighty in power, and all-seeing.
The eyes of God are on those who fear him;
he understands man’s every deed.
No one does he command to act unjustly,
to none does he give license to sin.

Responsorial
Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34
R. (1b) Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
Blessed are they whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the LORD.
Blessed are they who observe his decrees,
who seek him with all their heart.
R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
You have commanded that your precepts
be diligently kept.
Oh, that I might be firm in the ways
of keeping your statutes!
R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
Be good to your servant, that I may live
and keep your words.
Open my eyes, that I may consider
the wonders of your law.
R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
Instruct me, O LORD, in the way of your statutes,
that I may exactly observe them.
Give me discernment, that I may observe your law
and keep it with all my heart.
R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!

Second Reading
1 COR 2:6-10
Brothers and sisters:
We speak a wisdom to those who are mature,
not a wisdom of this age,
nor of the rulers of this age who are passing away.
Rather, we speak God’s wisdom, mysterious, hidden,
which God predetermined before the ages for our glory,
and which none of the rulers of this age knew;
for, if they had known it,
they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
But as it is written:
What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard,
and what has not entered the human heart,
what God has prepared for those who love him,
this God has revealed to us through the Spirit.

For the Spirit scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God.

Alleluia
Matthew 11:25
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 5:17-37 OR 5:20-22A, 27-28, 33-34A, 37
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.
I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,
not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter
will pass from the law,
until all things have taken place.
Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments
and teaches others to do so
will be called least in the kingdom of heaven.
But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments
will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses
that of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.
But I say to you,
whoever is angry with his brother
will be liable to judgment;
and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raqa,’
will be answerable to the Sanhedrin;
and whoever says, ‘You fool,’
will be liable to fiery Gehenna.
Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,
and there recall that your brother
has anything against you,
leave your gift there at the altar,
go first and be reconciled with your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.
Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court.
Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge,
and the judge will hand you over to the guard,
and you will be thrown into prison.
Amen, I say to you,
you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.

“You have heard that it was said,
You shall not commit adultery.
But I say to you,
everyone who looks at a woman with lust
has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
If your right eye causes you to sin,
tear it out and throw it away.
It is better for you to lose one of your members
than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna.
And if your right hand causes you to sin,
cut it off and throw it away.
It is better for you to lose one of your members
than to have your whole body go into Gehenna.

“It was also said,
Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce.
But I say to you,
whoever divorces his wife – unless the marriage is unlawful –
causes her to commit adultery,
and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

“Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
Do not take a false oath,
but make good to the Lord all that you vow.
But I say to you, do not swear at all;
not by heaven, for it is God’s throne;
nor by the earth, for it is his footstool;
nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
Do not swear by your head,
for you cannot make a single hair white or black.
Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’
Anything more is from the evil one.”

or

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses
that of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.
But I say to you,
whoever is angry with brother
will be liable to judgment.

“You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery.
But I say to you,
everyone who looks at a woman with lust
has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

“Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
Do not take a false oath,
but make good to the Lord all that you vow.
But I say to you, do not swear at all.
Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’
Anything more is from the evil one.”

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ATC 3 The Public Square

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www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

G.K. Chesterton said, “Right is Right even if nobody does it. Wrong is wrong even if everybody is wrong about it.”

You’re listening to All Things Catholic. I’m your host, Deacon Rudy Villarreal, and together we are going to explore what it means to be Catholic. We’ve talked about authority and obedience, and now with the election season in full swing in the United States, I think we need to talk a little about the public square.

What is the public square? The public square is where all the facets of community life come together – where we exchange news, information and ideas. This is the heart of the community where we engage the full spectrum of community life from art to religion to politics and public policy. I hope that broad description helps explain what I mean by the public square.

Does the Church have a place in the pubic square? Yes, absolutely – both the institution represented by our bishops, and by each and every one of us, both clergy and lay. As Bishop Olmstead wrote, “…it is our duty to engage the culture, not run from it,” (Olmstead, #30). As disciples who are supposed to go out into the world, we have to engage culture in order to evangelize it, as Bishop Robert Barron so often talks about, (Barron, 1).

By engaging in public dialogue, we are not trying to impose our morality on anyone. Practicing what we believe in our everyday life – at home, at work, among our friends and in politics – is an example of living with integrity. It’s an example that we walk the walk.

And it’s healthy for democracy for a wide variety of ideas to be exchanged. It’s good for society when we are all, Catholics included, involved in the democratic process, (Olmstead, #12). But here’s the distinction, I think, about Catholic involvement in public policy debates or politics. Being Catholic is not a private affair. You don’t just wake up one day as an unbaptized person and announce that you are now Catholic. Your sense of church cannot be limited to enjoying a cup of coffee on your back porch and watching the sun rise. No, this isn’t about a privatized faith. Being Catholic means that we are part of a community of believers in Christ Jesus. Situated in the community of believers, we engage society.

What should the Church’s role be in this public dialogue?

Well, as the Second Vatican Council suggests, we begin with our fundamental belief that we are all created by God’s love in His image and likeness, and that we are constantly preserved by God’s love, (Gaudium et Spes, 19). Human dignity then is intrinsic to all human beings.

As Bishop Olmstead points out, “the Church intervenes by making a moral judgment about economic and social matters when the fundamental rights of the person, the common good, or the salvation of souls requires it,” (Olmstead, #11; CCC #2420; GS 76 §5). It’s really outside the Church’s per view to comment on every single thing that governments at all levels – local, regional, national, global – do. Rather, the Church will focus on key issues that infringe on or undermine human dignity or the common good.

Is the goal of the Church to change public policy? No, that is not necessarily the case. Pope Benedict wrote, “It is not the Church’s responsibility to make this teaching prevail in political life. Rather, the Church wishes to help form consciences…and to stimulate greater insight into the authentic requirements of justice as well as greater readiness to act…” (Deus Caritas Est, 28). So, while there are undoubtedly things the Church would like to change in our society, one of its primary roles as expressed through our bishops is to teach from our understanding of our shared human dignity and common morality, and thus to evangelize the general public.

While it’s not necessary for the Church to weigh-in on all the issues that confront government, we should. For those of us citizens and taxpayers living in democracies, we have a duty and a responsibility to be educated and informed about what’s going on at all levels of government. Being a good citizen doesn’t mean simply relishing in our rights. Being a citizen means understanding that our rights have corresponding responsibilities.

Can Catholics disagree with the Church and are all issues equal?

God does not see “left” and “right”, “liberal” or “conservative”, (Gomez, Foreward). He just sees us and the world he created. God loves diversity and perhaps inherent in his design is a plethora of ideas and perspectives. This means that all issues are not equal. Catholics do not need to agree with each other (or their bishops or priests) on every point nor do we need to move in lockstep with each other.

Catholics do not need to agree on a host of issues, like education, taxation, welfare reform, or illegal immigration, etc. While we are called to strive to understand the spirit of any Church law or teaching or disciplinary action which does not lead to sin, not all Church teachings are equal, (Gaillardetz, 126). We may, for example, agree on the Church’s teaching about the preferential option for the poor, but we may all come to different understandings about the best public policy application, (Olmstead, #16).

There is one caveat – actually it’s a showstopper. The Church teaches that Catholics (really, all Christians), should never support an issue, initiative or law that is intrinsically evil, (Olmstead, #14). What does that mean? A moral act that can never result in good, no matter the circumstances is intrinsically evil. In other words, the ends cannot justify the means.

Look, if the ends justify the means, then we’d all see Thanos as the hero in the Marvel movies Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. In the movies, Thanos believes that a balanced world order is a good thing – a moral imperative. Murdering 50% of the population to accomplish that goal doesn’t matter to him.

As Catholics – as Christians – we are called to resist the temptation to believe that the ends justify the means. That means that we can never support or promote any government policy or law that attacks human life. So, abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment are non-negotiables for Catholics.

Whew, all of this can be a bit overwhelming, right? I know that life is hectic and when we’re done for the day, we just want to relax. But being a good citizen requires some effort on our part. Emotionally, we need to participate in the love God has for the world. Intellectually, we should constantly form and inform our consciences as we strive to understand what the Church teaches about life in Christ in the light of Scripture and Tradition. Practically, as Christians and as citizens, we need to resist the hedonistic and mediocre culture in which we find ourselves and do our part to make this world a better place. John F. Kennedy once said, “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country,” (Kennedy, Inaugural Speech).

Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal and next time on All Things Catholic we’re going to talk about the Lord’s name – what does it mean to take the Lord’s name in vain, what’s really going on and what you can do about it.

You’re listening to All Things Catholic.

This episode was produced by deacon rudy’s notes. Our theme music was composed by Silent Partner. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m your host, Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join us again on our next episode and until then, peace!

References:

  1. Barron, Robert. “Welcome Letter.” Evangelization & Culture, Autumn 2019.
  2. Benedict, Deus Caritas Est. 25 December 2005. Libreria Editrice Vaticana, http://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20051225_deus-caritas-est.html.
  3. Gaillardetz, Richard R. By What Authority? A Primer on Scripture, the Magisterium, and the Sense of the Faithful. Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 2003.
  4. Gomez, José H. Foreword to Catholics in the Public Square, rev. 4th Edition, by Thomas J. Olmstead. Charlotte, NC: Saint Benedict Press, 2016.
  5. Kenney, John F. “Inaugural Address.” 20 January 1961. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/historic-speeches/inaugural-address.
  6. Olmstead, Thomas J. Catholics in the Public Square. Revised, 4th Edition. Charlotte, NC: Saint Benedict Press, 2016.
  7. Second Vatican Council. Gaudium et Spes. 7 December 1965. Vatican Archive, http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651207_gaudium-et-spes_en.html.

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

  1. Social doctrine of the Church, 2419-2425

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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.