Gospel: Matthew 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.
The Gospel of the Lord.
The Mass intention is available.
Reflection:
In 1997, Tanghalang Anluwage (our parish theatre group in Gagalangin, Tondo, Manila) staged a musical play on the life of St Joseph, our patron saint. After reading the script for the play, Vlad Reyes (one of our musical directors and my friend) joked at me “St Joseph was a silent man in the Bible, but you made him talkative in this play!” True, there was no record of any word that this great man has uttered. His actions spoke louder than his words. In one of the play’s acts, St Joseph lovingly and jubilantly repeated “Jesus…Jesus…Jesus” after the baby Jesus was circumcised.
In today’s Gospel, the angel of the Lord told Joseph not to be afraid to welcome Mary into his home. As for Mary’s Child, he was instructed “you are to name Him Jesus”. Some have commented: “[T]hough not a direct quotation, the one word attributed to Joseph in Sacred Scripture is the holy name of Jesus.” I guess, like any parent, St Joseph would have said the name of Jesus many times –when he woke up after that blessed sleep; when he conversed with Mary throughout their years of being together; when he saw the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger (Luke 2:7); when he was circumcised and presented in the Temple (Luke 2:21-39); when he escaped into Egypt with his family (Matthew 2:13-15);when he cuddled the Lord; when he taught Jesus his trade as a carpenter as well as the Jewish faith; when he prayed and played with Jesus; and when Jesus was lost in the Temple for three days (Luke 2:41-52). I would imagine St Joseph saying that beautiful name when he breathed his last. I also imagine him now mentioning Jesus’ mighty name, in praise and thanksgiving and in making intercession for God’s People, the Church.
- How often and in what occasions do you say the name of Jesus?
- How can you welcome Jesus into your life and home?
- “Jesus wished to become indebted to St Joseph for the necessities of life, and of this holy patriarch alone it may be said that he saved the life of his Saviour.” (St Madeleine Sophie Barat). How can you become a new St Joseph in the world today?
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word today. Through the prayers and example of St Joseph protect us from the Evil One and lead us to salvation where we will sing the praises of Your powerful Name forever and ever. Amen.
Suggested Lenten penance: Pray with special devotion to St Joseph.
(Pietro)
