19 March 2009
First reading 2 Samuel 7:4-5,12-14,16
The word of the Lord came to Nathan:
‘Go and tell my servant David, “Thus the Lord speaks: “When your days are ended and you are laid to rest with your ancestors, I will preserve the offspring of your body after you and make his sovereignty secure. (It is he who shall build a house for my name, and I will make his royal throne secure for ever.) I will be a father to him and he a son to me; if he does evil, I will punish him with the rod such as men use, with strokes such as mankind gives. Yet I will not withdraw my favour from him, as I withdrew it from your predecessor. Your House and your sovereignty will always stand secure before me and your throne be established for ever.”’
Psalm or canticle: Psalm 88:2-5,27,29
Second reading Romans 4:13,16-18,22
The promise of inheriting the world was not made to Abraham and his descendants on account of any law but on account of the righteousness which consists in faith. That is why what fulfils the promise depends on faith, so that it may be a free gift and be available to all of Abraham’s descendants, not only those who belong to the Law but also those who belong to the faith of Abraham who is the father of all of us. As scripture says: I have made you the ancestor of many nations – Abraham is our father in the eyes of God, in whom he put his faith, and who brings the dead to life and calls into being what does not exist.
Though it seemed Abraham’s hope could not be fulfilled, he hoped and he believed, and through doing so he did become the father of many nations exactly as he had been promised: Your descendants will be as many as the stars. This is the faith that was ‘considered as justifying him.’
Gospel Matthew 1:16,18-21,24
Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary; of her was born Jesus who is called Christ.
This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do.
Reflection
By Elizabeth R. Eguia
Last Saturday I called my family back in the Philippines. The usual greetings of “Hi”, “Hello”, “How are you?” will be the main content of our conversation. My nieces again asked me “Tita may boyfriend ka na ba? And I will just keep on giggling and will say to them “Yes I have so many.”
What are the qualities of an “Ideal Man”? Should he be good looking, rich, smart, successful in his career, responsible, committed? These are some of the traits that any girl would want for her man although it still varies from individuals. Some are not after “looks”. Being a kind hearted, loving, responsible person is enough. Others prefer the rich guy so that their future is secured. How about you dear readers, what is an ideal man for you?
Today we pay tribute to an IDEAL MAN and he is no other than Saint Joseph, husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus. He was an ordinary carpenter living a simple life. Being a compassionate, just, honorable and caring man for Mary, he did not think of his actions for his own sake but rather for his wife and son. He knew Mary was pregnant. At first he wanted to leave her but not wanting to put her to shame, he decided to stay. He was very concerned for her safety.
He was obedient and respectful to the will of God. He followed God’s will of taking Mary as his wife. He was a good father to Jesus. Work was never an excuse to him to attend to important occasions such as Jesus’ presentation in the temple, their yearly family trip to Jerusalem for Passover.
As we commemorate his Feast day, join me as we pause for a while and say this prayer:
O St. Joseph whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the Throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires. O St. Joseph do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your Heavenly power I may offer my Thanksgiving and Homage to the most Loving of Fathers. O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine Head for me, and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for us. Amen
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