19 March 2010
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 Fely Santiago
“When Joseph awoke he did as the angel of the Lord had directed him”
The way Jesus did the will of the Father; He must have gotten it from St Joseph, too.
In today’s Gospel we saw how Joseph was entirely dedicated to the will of God even when it was an absolute contradiction to everything he knew and believed. He was single-hearted in following God’s will. That’s purity of heart, the simplicity of his heart.
Today we are given opportunity to focus on St Joseph and appreciate the role he played as the foster father of Jesus. Joseph was a very humble man and was content to play a supporting role. Very far from what most people want today – power, honor and authority. We don’t read much about him in the Bible. But how he molded Jesus in the last 30 years prior to His ministry is a reflection of how good a man and father St Joseph is.
In our world today with all its challenges, trials and sufferings we often experience dark moments, confusion, misunderstanding. It will be easy to get caught in self-pity and focus too much on ourselves trying to rationalize everything. We are full of fear and doubts because we want to be in control.
May we learn to be like St Joseph who walked in faith and have confidence in God above all else. The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and told him have no fear. He did as the Lord directed him to do. So let us be single-hearted and pure in heart – “Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God.” In faith St Joseph saw God on the face of Jesus Christ and in their family life.
Let us spend more time in prayer during this season of Lent and do what the Lord directs us to do. Have no FEAR. Trust HIM today!
Dear Lord, give me the purity of heart of St Joseph. Amidst all the challenges, confusion and sufferings in this life, help me to be single-hearted in seeking and following Your will in my life. Take control Lord and direct me to right paths; remove my doubts and fears. Amen.
New Creation
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