DAILY- HOMILY

March 19, 2014
Wednesday 2nd Week of Lent 
[Solemnity, St. Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary]

2 Sm 7: 4-5a,12-14a,16 / Ps 89: 2-3,4-5,27,29 / Mt 1: 16, 18-21 or Lk 2: 41-51

Reading: 2 Sm 7: 4-5a,12-14a,16
But that very night, Yahweh's word came to Nathan, "Go and tell my servant David. When the time comes for you to rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your son after you, the one born of you and I will make his reign secure. He shall build a house for my name and I will firmly establish his kingship forever. I will be a father to him and he shall be my son. Your house and your reign shall last forever before me, and your throne shall be forever firm."   
   
Gospel: Lk 2: 41-51a
Every year the parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover, as was customary. And when Jesus was twelve years old, he went up with them, according to the custom of this feast. After the festival was over, they returned, but the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem, and his parents did not know it. They thought he was in the company, and after walking the whole day they looked for him among their relatives and friends. As they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem searching for him, and on the third day they found him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. And all the people were amazed at his understanding and his answers. His parents were very surprised when they saw him, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I were very worried while searching for you." Then he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand this answer. Jesus went down with them, returning to Nazareth, and he continued to be subject to them. As for his mother, she kept all these things in her heart.

Reflection:
For today's gospel, we are given the option of choosing from the gospel of Matthew or Luke. For this reflection, let us use Luke's narration of the "Finding at the Temple." Immediately we notice that Joseph is not even mentioned by name. Even the few lines of spoken words are between Jesus and his mother. Joseph is only inferred by the gospel's reference to Jesus' parents. What does the gospel speak to us about St. Joseph and why does the Church choose these verses to honor St. Joseph? We know that Joseph is described by the gospel as a just man. What does "just" mean in the Jewish society of his time? Maybe it would be easier for us if we put ourselves in the shoes of St. Joseph and feel how he must have felt knowing that he is called by God to be the "Father" of the only begotten Son of God. What was he thinking when gazing lovingly at the baby Jesus sleeping peacefully in his arms? What was he thinking when he had to reprimand the naughty boy Jesus to teach him to be careful with tools of his trade which could hurt the boy? What was in his mind and what are his feelings when he discovered that Jesus was not with them in the caravan on the way home? Let us ponder on these questions in our quiet prayer.

Prayer Requests:
We pray ...
... for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.
... for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
... for families who are in need of healing.
     * Romie Ang
... for special intentions
     * Brian Dy
... for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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