Lectio Divina: For Third Week in Advent - Cycle C

Please read slowly and reflectively.

Slowly count to five at the end of each line.

A READING FROM THE GOSPEL OF JESUS ACCORDING TO MATTHEW (FIRST READER ONLY)

WHEN MARY WAS ENGAGED TO JOSEPH/

BUT BEFORE THEY LIVED TOGETHER,/

SHE BECAME PREGNANT/

THROUGH THE THE HOLY SPIRIT./

JOSEPH DECIDED TO DIVORCE HER SECRETLY,/

FOR HE DID NOT WANT TO DISCREDIT HER./

THE ANGEL OF THE LORD APPEARED TO HIM IN A DREAM./

“JOSEPH, DO NOT BE AFRAID TO TAKE MARY AS YOUR WIFE./

SHE HAS CONCEIVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT./

AND WILL BEAR A SON,/

WHOM YOU ARE TO NAME JESUS.”/

WHEN JOSEPH WOKE UP,/

HE DID AS THE ANGEL HAD DIRECTED HIM./