Daily Retreat 03/15/08
2008 Mar 15 Sat: JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF MARY S
2 Sm 7: 4-5a. 12-14a. 16/ Ps 88(89): 2-3. 4-5. 27. 29/ Rom 4: 13. 16-18. 22/ Mt 1: 16. 18-21. 24a or Lk 2: 41-51a
From today’s readings: “Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before Me; your throne shall stand firm forever.... I have sworn to David My servant: Forever will I confirm your posterity and establish your throne for all generations.... as it is written, I have made you father of many nations.... His mother said to Him, ‘Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for You with great anxiety.’ ”
St. Joseph
The solemnity of St. Joseph is normally celebrated on March 19th, but on the rare occasions when that date falls on a Sunday or any day during Holy Week, the feastday observance is transferred, which is why the Ides of March is St. Joseph’s day this year.
And, by a happy coincidence, this day is also my birthday! Since this is the only year in our lives that this day will be honored to host someone as prestigious as St. Joseph, it’s an ideal opportunity to reflect on St. Joseph’s role, not just in biblical salvation history, but also as an outstanding inspiration and patron saint for so many Christians through the ages.
Scripture, in fact, has recorded no word spoken by St. Joseph, and only a precious few details of his actions and attributes (see especially the first chapters of Matthew). Nonetheless, there’s a remarkable affinity that so many Christians feel toward him, perhaps because, just as Joseph must have been overwhelmed with his vocation to be so close to Jesus and His Mother, so must all of us Christians reflect on the overwhelming superabundance of God’s grace which, in spite of our own unworthiness, calls us to the most intimate communion with our Lord.
On this my birthday, I thank God so much for those many stupendous blessings St. Joseph has had a hand in - thank you, St. Joseph, for your faithful example, for your silent inspiration, and for your paternal, prayerful guardianship!
2 Sm 7: 4-5a. 12-14a. 16/ Ps 88(89): 2-3. 4-5. 27. 29/ Rom 4: 13. 16-18. 22/ Mt 1: 16. 18-21. 24a or Lk 2: 41-51a
From today’s readings: “Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before Me; your throne shall stand firm forever.... I have sworn to David My servant: Forever will I confirm your posterity and establish your throne for all generations.... as it is written, I have made you father of many nations.... His mother said to Him, ‘Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for You with great anxiety.’ ”
St. Joseph
The solemnity of St. Joseph is normally celebrated on March 19th, but on the rare occasions when that date falls on a Sunday or any day during Holy Week, the feastday observance is transferred, which is why the Ides of March is St. Joseph’s day this year.
And, by a happy coincidence, this day is also my birthday! Since this is the only year in our lives that this day will be honored to host someone as prestigious as St. Joseph, it’s an ideal opportunity to reflect on St. Joseph’s role, not just in biblical salvation history, but also as an outstanding inspiration and patron saint for so many Christians through the ages.
Scripture, in fact, has recorded no word spoken by St. Joseph, and only a precious few details of his actions and attributes (see especially the first chapters of Matthew). Nonetheless, there’s a remarkable affinity that so many Christians feel toward him, perhaps because, just as Joseph must have been overwhelmed with his vocation to be so close to Jesus and His Mother, so must all of us Christians reflect on the overwhelming superabundance of God’s grace which, in spite of our own unworthiness, calls us to the most intimate communion with our Lord.
On this my birthday, I thank God so much for those many stupendous blessings St. Joseph has had a hand in - thank you, St. Joseph, for your faithful example, for your silent inspiration, and for your paternal, prayerful guardianship!
posted by FrPitstick | 3/14/2008
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