Sunday, March 18, 2018
MONDAY, 5TH Week of Lent
March 19, 2018 – MONDAY, 5TH Week of Lent
ST. JOSEPH, Husband of Mary
Patron of the Society of Jesus Solemnity
White
2 Sm 7:4- Sa, 12- 14a, 16 / Rom 4:13, 16- 18, 22 / Mt 1:16, 18- 21, 24a or Lk 2:41-51a.
St. Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, patron of workers, has been honored on 19 March since the end of the tenth century. Pope Pius IX declared him Patron of the universal Church in 1870.
1ST READING: 2 Sm 7: 4- Sa, 12- 14a, 16
But that very night, Yahweh's word came to Nathan, "Go and tell my servant
David, this is what Yahweh says."
"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 firm forever."
GOSPEL READING: Mt 1: 16, 18- 21, 24a
Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and from her came
Jesus who is called the Christ- the Messiah....
This is how Jesus Christ was born. Mary his mother had been given to Joseph in marriage but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph, her husband, made plans to divorce her in all secrecy. He was an upright man, and in no way did he want to discredit her.
While he was pondering over this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She has conceived by the Holy Spirit, and now she will bear a son. You shall call him 'Jesus' for he will save his people from their sins."
REFLECTION
Our Gospel reading invites us to understand how Joseph was indeed "an upright man" and a model husband and foster-father of Jesus.
Finding Mary with child before they lived together, Joseph considered divorcing her secretly to protect her. An angel of the Lord assured Joseph that Mary was with child by the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph showed his true love for Mary, giving up his own will, and followed the angel's message and agreed to be husband of Mary and foster-father of Jesus and head of the Holy Family.
What else do we know about St. Joseph? In reality not much more, other than he was "an upright man.."
We know Joseph as a man of great obedience to God. He listened to the angel and took in Mary with child as his wife. He followed the angel's messages to flee to Egypt to protect the child Jesus and when to return to Nazareth.
He was a humble man, quietly working at his trade as a carpenter and in watching over and protecting his wife Mary and the child Jesus.
Pope Francis tells us how he calls on the sleeping St. Joseph for help in big problems and concerns. Pope Francis writes down his concerns and places them under the figure of the sleeping St. Joseph. And, just as God gave instructions to St. Joseph in his dreams while asleep, somehow Pope Francis hopes God would guide him through the intercession of St Joseph.
The Society of Jesus calls on St. Joseph as its Patron. As companions of Jesus in a religious order after Jesus' holy Name, the Society of Jesus entrusts its members and works to his quiet and potent intercession. May we be faithful and obedient to God like St. Joseph.
WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER INTENTIONS:
BIRTHDAY
Pear!ie Chan
Joseph Ferrer
Graziano & Joji Negroni
Jose Ramos
Rally Mar Saga
PRAYER INTENTION
L. Y. Castillo
IN MEMORIAM {+}
Francisco F. Sun
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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