Matthew 1: 18-23
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 be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means "God is with us."
Dawg's thought:
Today's prayer intention is for your faith walk today, that your hearts may be open to God's grace.
Today in the Catholic Church we celebrate the "Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary."
Lately I've been put in the position to defend what fundamentalist Christians call "Mary Worship." Of course, it all comes down to the fact that Catholics do not worship Mary, but rather we ask for her intercession on our behalf. We also look at her example in being obedient to God, through her "Fiat" (unconditional yes). She is also the example of the Church in bringing Christ into the world. In the end, though, we normally end our conversations knowing that we'll never agree... and then get into the same conversation two days later.
What matters most, though, is knowing the fact that Mary's life "proclaimed the greatness of The Lord," and we are called to follow this example. Through this example, she brings us closer to God, and that is not a bad thing.
Today in the Catholic Church we celebrate the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary. May her intercession and example bring you closer to God. Take care and God Bless.
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