Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: March 19, 2024

Date:   Tuesday of the 5th Week of Lent also Solemnity of St. Joseph

Scripture Text:  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.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today, the Solemnity of St. Joseph, is taken from the Gospel of Matthew and recounts the actions of St. Joseph upon learning of his wife Mary’s pregnancy which occurred before they lived together. This account shed light on multiple areas of the gospel of Matthew as well as on the path we as Christians are called to follow.

First of all, Joseph “was a righteous man.” Being righteous in the eyes of the spiritual world means to be a person of loving kindness, justice and mercy – the very attributes we all hope we will encounter in others. Joseph did not react poorly to the surprise of Mary’s pregnancy; he was seeking a just and loving resolution. He was open to finding such a resolution.

Secondly, the LORD is always at work in our world. The gospel of Matthew is known for its thread throughout of the activity of the LORD in our world and in our lives. We see this in the first chapter with the lineage of Jesus that reminds us that the LORD was there in every generation. Later in chapter 2, we read of the star that guided the magi to the new King, Jesus. In today’s reading, we hear of an angel appearing to Joseph in a dream, enlightening him as to the identity of the child Mary carried, and telling Joseph he was to be the earthly father of the Son of God.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I seek to live as a righteous person? Do I strive to act with justice, with loving kindness, with mercy always? Am I open to the LORD’s messages that come to me in prayer or in unexpected ways?

Praying:

LORD, You are love itself. Love flows from you as You create, and You fashion each of us to be governed by love and fueled by love. Send the Spirit to stir within us the love You wove within our very being. Kindle in us the fire of your love as our guide and our reason – to love you with all our strength and to love one another as You love each of us and as we ourselves desire to be loved. Temper our spirits so that we may be loving regardless of what occurs. Help us as we make our journeys home to union with You. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.