"Joseph is attuned to God's ways."

If God was going to give someone the greatest assignment that had ever been given to any man in the human race.

Joseph, the right person — someone kind, humble, faithful, spiritually attuned to the voice of God.

 

1st Reading: 2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16

But that very night,

The Lord's word came to Nathan, "Go and tell my servant David,

this is what the Lord says: Are you able to build a house for me to live in?

 

When the time comes for you to rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your son after you,

the one born of you; and I will make his reign secure.

He shall build a house for my name and I will firmly establish his kingship forever.

I will be a father to him and he shall be my son. If he does wrong I will punish him with the rod, as men do.

Your house and your reign shall last forever before me, and your throne shall be forever firm."

 

 Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 & 29 The son of David will live forever.

 

2nd Reading: Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22

If God promised Abraham, or rather his descendants, that the world would belong to him,

this was not because of his obeying the law, but because he was just, and a friend of God, through faith.

For that reason, faith is the way, and all is given by grace; and the promises of Abraham are fulfilled for all his descendants,

not only for his children according to the law, but also, for all the others who have believed.

 

Abraham is the father of all of us, as it is written: I will make you the father of many nations.

He is our father, in the eyes of Him, who gives life to the dead, and calls into existence,

what does not yet exist, for this the God in whom he believed.

Abraham believed, and hoped against all expectation,

thus becoming the father of many nations, as he had been told: See how many will be your descendants.

This was taken into account, for him to attain righteousness.

 

Gospel: 

Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a (or Luke 2:41-51a)

Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and from he came Jesus who is called the Christ the Messiah.

This is how Jesus Christ was born: Mary, his mother, had been given to Joseph in marriage,

but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.

 

Then Joseph, her husband, made plans to divorce her in all secrecy. He was an upright man, and in no way did he want to disgrace her.

While he was pondering over this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,

"Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She has conceived by the Holy Spirit,

and now she will bear a son. You shall call him 'Jesus' for he will save his people from their sins."

When Joseph awoke, he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do, and he took his wife to his home.

 

Reflection:

"Joseph is attuned to God's ways."

Given that there are no words of Saint Joseph recorded in the Scriptures, our reflections naturally focus on his actions.

These show him to be a reflective, righteous and humble man who seeks to do God's will in his daily life.

Joseph is attuned to God's ways, day and night. Even when he sleeps, he is pondering (Ps 63:6),

and this directs his action. As such, he is a model for us in his active charity, in his loving care of Mary and Jesus,

in all his efforts to keep them safe and supported. That love was never smothered by envy at not being center stage.

 

Joseph had his part to play in God's plan of salvation – it was necessary even though it was not as great a role as Our Lady.

This is a lesson for all of us. We all have a part to play in God's plan of salvation. As members of the Church,

we are all called to be instruments of Christ's peace and salvation in the world. Our role may be simple and unremarkable,

but it's still essential. To have served one person is to have served Christ, and each act of service is precious.