A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:
“Joseph did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him” (Matthew 1:24).
When I discovered that today’s Gospel Reading was about Joseph and his “yes” to becoming the foster father of Jesus, I began to hunt for my grade school St. Joseph Missal. What a treasure! Happy memories returned when I began to read the prayers and devotions to the Patron of the Universal Church – the most pure spouse of Mary.
When I was a child, I loved looking at the color pictures of St. Joseph at the back of my Missal, and when the Sisters would have us recite the prayers under each, the words stayed with me. Now as I read them again years later, the words have a deeper meaning and I realize what a wonderful intercessor St. Joseph is for so many of us, for so many reasons.
“Joseph, by your fatherly love for Jesus, protect all children.”
“Joseph, guardian of the Holy Family, protect all Christian homes.”
“Joseph, model father, chaste spouse, help all men to imitate you.”
“Joseph, chaste spouse of the virgin Mother, preserve in all hearts a love of purity.”
“Joseph, provider for the needs of Jesus and Mary, help the needy of the whole world.”
“Joseph, honest workman, teach us to labor for Jesus.”
