Thoughts to live by: 2nd week of Lent

19 March, Wednesday, Solemnity of St. Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Liturgy of the Word — 2 Sm. 7:4-5, 12-14, 16; Ps. 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29; Rom. 4:13, 16-18, 22; Mt. 1:16-18, 21, 24 or Lk. 2: 41-51.

Some notes on St. Joseph (Ref: Vatican News, 19 March 2022):

1. In the West, the oldest reference to the cult of St. Joseph that is connected with 19 March appears about the year 800 in the north of France. References to Joseph, Spouse of Mary, became more frequent from the 9th to the 14th centuries.

In the 12th century, the Crusaders built a church in his honor at Nazareth. In the 15th century, the cult of St. Joseph spread through the influence of St. Bernardine of Siena. His feast was officially established at Notre Dame of Paris. With Pope Sixtus IV's approval in 1480, the feast was set on March 19 and became obligatory with Pope Gregory XV in 1621.

In 1870, Pope Pius IX declared St. Joseph the Patron of the Universal Church. Pope St. John XXIII inserted his name in the Roman Canon of Holy Mass, while Pope Francis added 7 new titles to the Litany of St. Joseph: Guardian of the Redeemer, Servant of Christ, Minister of Salvation, Support in Difficulties, Patron of Exiles, Patron of the Afflicted, and Patron of the Poor.

The Solemnity on 19 March is one of the few times during Lent when the Gloria is sung. However, the Alleluia is still not used.

2. Joseph placed himself at the service of God's plans of salvation, revealed to him in dreams. He cared for the Holy Family that God entrusted to him. He became an attentive servant from the moment of the Annunciation, a provident servant in caring for Mary and the Child in her womb. He protected the Family when King Herod wanted to kill the Child. He was a tender and loving father, teaching the child how to walk.

The Child experienced Joseph's fatherly love and tenderness. He absorbed his filial "submission" to God from Joseph, a man of faith, a "just man." Joseph was the Child's father "in the shadows," staying in the background so that his Son would emerge.

3. 1st Reading, 2 Sm. 7:4-5, 12-14, 16 — The Word of God through the prophet, Nathan, concerning the son of David. The Lord tells Nathan to prophesy to David. "I will raise up your offspring... and will establish his kingdom" (v. 12).

"He shall build a house for my name, and i will establish his royal throne forever. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me" (vv. 12-14). In the immediate historical context, the offspring refers to Solomon, David's son. But in view of the New Testament, the prophecy refers to Jesus, Son of David. "Your house and your kingdom are firm forever before me" (v. 16).

4. Resp. Ps. 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29 — The community prays for God's mercy for David. God declares his faithfulness to his covenant with David (vv. 2-3, 29). "I will make your dynasty stand forever" (vv. 4-5). "He shall cry to me, 'You are my father, my God, the Rock of my salvation" (v. 27).

5. 2nd Reading, Rom. 4:13, 16-18, 22 — Abraham's faith is the reason for God's covenant with him (v. 13). Hence, it is faith that guarantees the covenant for his descendants. In God's sight, he is our father, the "father of all nations" (vv. 16-18). The covenant was credited to Abraham, because of his "righteousness" (v. 22).

6. Gospel, Mt. 1:16-18, 21, 24 — The birth of Jesus is announced to Joseph. Today's Gospel begins with the final verses of the genealogy of Joseph, from King David all the way to Abraham (vv. 16-17). Jesus' mother, Mary, was betrothed to Joseph.

But. "before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit" (v. 18). In a dream, Joseph was told by an angel that Mary would bear a Son. "You are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins" (v. 21). When Joseph woke up, "he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home" (v. 24).

7. The main themes of the Liturgy of the Word emphasize the fact that St. Joseph comes from the line of King David and that his Son, Jesus, is the Son of David.

Yet, Joseph remains just a poor "servant" of the Lord, humble and obedient to God, a man of deep faith like Abraham, a righteous and just man, a caring and loving husband and father. The Davidic covenant is fulfilled in his son, Jesus.

8. Prayer — Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin. To you God entrusted his only Son; in you Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man. Blessed Joseph, to us, too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen. (Prayer from Pope Francis' Apostolic Letter, Patris Corde).

Prayers, best wishes, God bless!