For daily readings, see http://www.usccb.org/nab/121807.shtml
A lot of meditation on this Gospel focuses on Joseph's compassion in not wanting to expose his wife to shame, even though it was his right to do so, since through his betrothal to Mary she 'belonged' to him. Surely Joseph was a righteous and merciful man who loved his wife Mary very much. But we do not have to assume from the reading of today's Gospel that Joseph suspected Mary of adultery, as most commentators say. No, even before the angel appeared to Joseph telling him that Mary had conceived by the Holy Spirit, it is possible that Joseph did not suspect his wife of anything, but rather was pondering the miracle of her conception, and wondering if he should get out of the way since his wife Mary had been chosen for something special that didn't include him. As the angel announces, however, Jesus in taking up our humanity was to embrace it completely, and this included having a father and growing up in a family. And so Joseph receives the invitation to name his Son and to provide for Him. We concentrate so much on Mary's anticipation of her Son's birth. We recognize too today that Joseph was chosen for a very special role in the history of the world's salvation, and he was the second to see the newborn King! Given the truth of the scriptures, we have little choice but to ask Him to also prepare us for the coming of our Savior!
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