Matthew 1:18-24
Lead in: Consider how it was for Mary, the girl engaged to a man named Joseph. Before they were married, even though they had never been intimate, she learned she was pregnant. But then an angel appeared to her. It was through the Holy Spirit that this happened. Bewildered and perplexed, she was frightened by the whole thought of it. Yet, she trusted. “Let it be done to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38
Prompt: Reflect on a time when, like Mary, you were bewildered and perplexed by a situation you did not understand. Yet, you trusted and gave your “fiat”, your “let it be done to me according to your word.”
Prompt: Reflect on a situation when it was harder to trust and give your “fiat,’” your “let it be done to me according to your word.” What did you learn from that?
Lead in: Before they were married, when Joseph learned that Mary was pregnant, he did not know that it was by the Holy Spirit that this happened. Like Mary, he too was confused by this. Even more than that, based on the fact that Mary was pregnant, he would have been justified in being put off and hurt by what could be concluded as a betrayal of fidelity. But, being the honorable man that he was, Joseph was bound and determined to take care of things quietly so that Mary would not be disgraced.
Prompt: Reflect on time when someone gave you the benefit of the doubt and went out of their way to go to bat for you. What did you learn from that?
Prompt: Reflect on a time when you gave someone the benefit of the doubt and went out of your way to go to bat for someone. What did you learn from that?
Lead in: When Joseph learned that Mary was pregnant, he intended to handle things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced. But as he dreamed that night, an angel appeared explaining that it was by the Holy Spirit that Mary was pregnant and, for that reason, he should take Mary as his wife.
Prompt: Like Mary, Joseph trusted and took action. Reflect on a time when you intuitively knew the right thing to do and took action.
Prompt: God speaks to us in many ways, including dreams. Reflect on a dream that was significant to you.
Lead in: The story from Mathew 1:18-24 reveals the risks that Mary assumed in order to fulfill God’s plan. She risked divorce, public shame, poverty, and other challenges of being a single parent. If she was to face these challenges, it would take all the courage she could muster.
Prompt: What is going on in your life right now that demands courage if you are to be faithful to what God is calling you to?