Behold, the virgin shall be with child… (Mt 1:18-23) by Paul Westendorf

08 Sep Behold, the virgin shall be with child… (Mt 1:18-23) by Paul Westendorf

“This is how the Birth of Jesus Christ came about.“ ~ Mt 1:18-23 (full readings)
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Paul’s Reflections:  In today’s Gospel by Matthew it gives us such a clear example of how “Being the One” can make such a difference.  Mary’s pregnancy was definitely a crisis pregnancy by today’s standards.  Mary is with child, it’s not Joseph’s child. What is her family going to do or think?  What is Joseph going to do or think?  This is life and death for Mary as she could be stoned to death under Jewish law. From Joseph’s perspective this is not how he had things planned. I’m sure he was shocked, confused, and felt betrayed.  Joseph had other options.  If this situation happens today, Mary would have been advised to get an abortion.  She was not wealthy and the future for her son by other’s standards didn’t look good.  This was not a convenient situation for either Mary or Joseph to be in.  Yet God used this exact situation, as Mary and then Joseph placed their trust in God, for delivering salvation to all mankind.  Let us always remember this and pray that we will always embrace the culture of life (eternal life), “…and they shall name Him Emmanuel,…”, that came to us via this Crisis Pregnancy.
* Paul Westendorf is Membership Coordinator of the National LIFE Runners Team.  His is married to Jacquie and lives in Sioux Falls, SD.   Full bio..

Faith Challenge:   Many who face the challenge of an unplanned pregnancy need our understanding and compassion to help them feel secure and open to accepting the culture of life.  As Joseph was a man of compassion pray that we as a Pro-Life community can be “Joseph like” in our actions as we strive to make abortion unthinkable.

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel..
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Our Prayers: Pray LIFE Runners Creed to End Abortion.  Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, unceasingly. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
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Feast Day:  Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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Faith Quote:  “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

Through Christ our Lord,
Paul
Jer 1:5