Liturgy that Matters – December 22, 2019 – Matthew 1:18-25

Themes: Joseph almost settles for being a “reasonable” man, choosing to dismiss Mary quietly, but thanks to the visit of a Holy Messenger, he found his courage and lived out of the “righteous” spirit he had all along. By choosing to betray the systems of patriarchy rather than Mary, he also chooses to participate in the birth of God. This and more about chosen family, the risks of love, and the ongoing normalization of gender-based violence today.