God is with us

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Ave Generosa

Margaret Rizza

Today is Monday the 8th of September, the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the 23rd week of Ordinary Time.

The Gaudete Ensemble sings 'Ave Generosa' by Margaret Rizza. On this feast day, spend some time reflecting on who Mary is to you... How has she inspired you in your life?

3:22

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 1:18-23

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and they shall name him Emmanuel’,

which means, ‘God is with us.’

4:55

O Lord, my heart is not proud

Margaret Rizza

Even today, the news of an unexpected pregnancy may come as rather a shock. It can really challenge those involved in a relationship. What do you notice about Joseph’s first reaction here to the news of Mary’s pregnancy?

You may be more familiar with St Luke’s account of the annunciation to Mary by the angel Gabriel. Here, in Matthew’s gospel, an unnamed angel makes a similar announcement to Joseph. How might this have changed his mind about what he should do next?

As the passage is read again, notice the names that Mary’s son is to be given, and their meaning.

7:43

Matthew 1:18-23

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and they shall name him Emmanuel’,

which means, ‘God is with us.’

9:04

What do you want to bring from this time of prayer to Emmanuel, Jesus, who is the one who is “God with us”?

12:02

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen