20 March, 2023 | Solemnity of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 Gospel : Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a

Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.

Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.

When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,

but before they lived together,

she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.

Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,

yet unwilling to expose her to shame,

decided to divorce her quietly.

Such was his intention when, behold,

the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,

“Joseph, son of David,

do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.

For it is through the Holy Spirit

that this child has been conceived in her.

She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,

because he will save his people from their sins.”

When Joseph awoke,

he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him

and took his wife into his home.

Reflections

Today’s gospel reflects the personality of St Joseph. He was a just man. A person who was submissive to the will of God. He humbly and quietly followed the will of the Lord. He had a tender love for Jesus and Mary. His love for them cannot be measured by his physical presence and by words but by his action. He put his love for them in to practice. Many are the examples set by St Joseph who worked hard in life with honesty and justice, not minding his own personal desires, ambition, ego or greed. He played an important role in God’s plan of salvation. He experienced that this important role brought him many difficulties, but he stood the test and served God well as a man of faith, generous and indeed ‘just’.

Activity: 

Reflect on the submissiveness of Joseph to the will of the Lord and compare it with our own submissiveness to the will of the Lord regarding our fidelity in our mission and life.

Consecrate your self to St Joseph