2 Samuels 7:4-5, 12-14, 16, Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22, Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29, Matthew 1:1-16, 18-21

Daily Holy Mass Readings:  2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16, 

                                                       Romans 4:13,16-18, 22, Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29, 

                                                       Matthew 1:1-16, 18-21

2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16

My Beloved, David wanted to build a temple so that God could live among His people but he was told that it would not be him but his son Solomon who would build a temple, a dwelling place for God.  it took Solomon over 50 years to build the temple.  You however came to make Your dwelling place in the hearts of those who follow You.  You have made our bodies a living temple of Your most Holy Spirit.  You have ensured that You will be Emmanuel - God with us always.  Thank You.

Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22

Dear St. Joseph too was a friend of God through faith.  Faith is Your free gift to all who are baptized and is given to anyone You will to give it to.  Every one of the promises You made has been fulfilled in the Son of the Most High God and St. Joseph was privileged to be both foster father and protector to Jesus and His Mother Mary, the ever virgin Mother of God.  St. Joseph believed in faith and obeyed all that God commanded him to do and he now enjoys a place of honor in heaven in the company of all the angels and saints.

Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29

Father God, You are true to Your promises.  You are a faithful God and You will keep the covenant of love You have made with us through Your Son.  Rooted in You, grafted on to You, redeemed and sanctified by You, we too like St. Joseph will be with You someday in heaven in the company of all Your friends who have gone before us.

Matthew 1:1-16, 18-21

In the middle of Lent we celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph and we have a little taste of Christmas.  We are reminded of the beginning when God pierced the curtain of time and place and became Emmanuel - God with us.  St. Joseph, a human being like us, shows us how we too can be pleasing to God.  Obedience and humility are the two keys with which we can unlock the heart of God and enter His Kingdom.