Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: March 19,2026

LECTIO - Read Scripture Text:   Matthew 1:18-21, 24

Now the birth of Jesus Christ occurred in this manner. When his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph but before they came together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and unwilling to shame her publicly, thought to divorce her quietly. But while he pondered these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, fear not to take Mary as your wife for her child is conceived of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a son, and you will call him Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins.”  Then Joseph awoke from sleep and did as the angel of the Lord enjoined him and took his wife into his home.

MEDITATIO - Meditate on text, allow the LORD to touch us with His Word:

“through the Holy Spirit” and “angel of the Lord appeared in a dream” and “he shall save his people” – our loving LORD is active in us and in our world for us and for our salvation.  He shares His Son who is without sin with us to save us from our sins.

ORATIO – Lifting our minds and hearts to the LORD in prayer:

All-loving and ever-present LORD, You are the source of all being and love itself. You created our world and us and desire that we have life and have it in abundance. You are there even when we cannot see You. You are there, even when we turn away. You are there, loving us even when we are not loving. May your Spirit stir within us so that we might more clearly see You at work in our world and in our lives and within us. Grant that we may learn to love well and love long from the example of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, and that our journey of faith, hope and love will bring us home to You. Amen.

CONTEMPLATIO – Sitting with the LORD in silence for a minute or more