SOLEMNITY OF ST.
JOSEPH
Patron of the Church
Today’s gospel calls Joseph “a just man.” It is a title that
the scriptures of the Old and the New Testaments give to people who try to live
according to God’s plans. Indeed, he played an important role in God’s plan of
salvation; God entrusted our Savior, Jesus, to his care. He experienced that
his important role brought him many difficulties, but he stood the test and
served God well, as a man of faith, generous, and indeed “just.”
-for the
simplicity of his life beyond our complexities, LHM
-for the
silence of his listening, beyond our endless prattles, CHM
-for the
total surrender of his faith beyond our resistance to God's grace, LHM
Opening Prayer
God our Father, you entrusted your Son Jesus to the
dedicated care of St. Joseph. Give us the faith of this just man, the patron of
your Church, that we may always listen to you, and serve you in everything you
ask of us also when we do not understand
where you are leading us. Make us live close to your Son, Jesus Christ
our Lord.
Commentary
The uprightness of Joseph consisted in doing the right thing
without humiliating anyone else in the process. Thus when he heard of Mary
being pregnant before they could live together, he decided to do the right
thing—to divorce Mary, but secretly so that her name would not be discredited.
And when God revealed to him the truth of her pregnancy, Joseph did not think twice
to change his decision and wholeheartedly collaborate with God’s plan.
Authentic righteousness of a true man of God! Though Jesus did not carry the
biological genes of Joseph, he would have learned a lot from watching Joseph as
to how to respect the dignity of persons even when they are sinners and how to
conform to God’s will with one’s total being. He was indeed the most worthy
husband to Mary, the Mother of God, and the most worthy foster father to Jesus,
the Son of God. The evangelist
Matthew relates the annunciation to Joseph, as Luke related that of Mary's. The
bitter surprise of the legal father of Jesus was set-aside at the news that the
angel gives about his wife Mary. Since then, this simple and just man will have
to perform a delicate task that begins with the imposition of the name of Jesus
(God saves) to the son of Mary. His silence and fidelity to the mission is an
example that we should also follow. Jesus will be proud of this father and will
not ashamed to be called the "carpenter's son".
Intercessions
As we celebrate St. Joseph today, let us bring our
intentions before the Lord.
– Lord, we pray you for your Church. Let it honor St Joseph,
its patron, through a responsible and dedicated leadership, we pray:
– Lord, we pray you for those in public
office, that they may lead their people with wisdom and justice, we pray:
– Lord, we pray you for heads of families, including single
parents, that they may be dedicated to their children, we pray:
– Lord, we pray you for laborers who live by
the work of their hands; may they do their work conscientiously and take pride
in it, we pray:
– Lord, we pray you for ourselves. May we be people who know
how to serve and to live in our presence, we pray: Lord, may the help of St Joseph help us all
to serve you with love. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord, we bring before you bread and wine. Let these gifts express that we want to carry out the task you entrust to us in life. Dispose us to cooperate wholeheartedly with
your plans to bring your love and
freedom to this entire world, that it
may accept and serve Jesus Christ our
Lord.
Prayer after
Communion
God our Father, you have given us the food that brings us the strength and the
perseverance to do the work you entrust
to us. Like St Joseph, may we serve you
well and put all our trust in you. Make us responsible and just persons who reflect your goodness and love. Grant this through Christ our Lord.
Blessing
May the Lord make us his good and faithful servants,
trustworthy and just. Let his blessing come down on us and accompany us on the
road of life: the blessing of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit.
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