Lenten Meditations: Friday 19 March

Mar 19, 2021 by

Fri
Mar 19
am 72
pm: 119:73-96
2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16 Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22 Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a

FRIDAY OF LENT IV St. Joseph the Worker, 1st Century

LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: St. Joseph has two feast days on the liturgical calendar. The first is March 19—Joseph, the Husband of Mary. The second is May 1—Joseph, the Worker. There is little about the life of Joseph in Scripture but still, we know that he was the chaste husband of Mary, the foster father of Jesus, a carpenter and a man who was not wealthy. We also know that he came from the royal lineage of King David.

MEDITATION OF THE DAY:   People outside the community of faith who do not share in the journey of faith often think that Christians are to be blameless and without failings.  The view that being part of the church militant suggests that membership in the body of Christ is a call to exemplary life.  This section of Matthew for this feast day gives us the opportunity to be reminded again that the evangelist’s states Jesus would “save his people from their sins,” He did not imply that Christ would stop people from sinning. If only that would true! The account of the promise of salvation through the line of David on the feast of St. Joseph   reminds us anew that salvation means the restoration of God’s relationship with humanity. Being a faithful Jew, he of course lived with hope for the long-awaited Savior. Joseph through the special relationship he shared with Christ was given the assurance of faith by witnessing the promise of the Incarnation. We too have similar glimpses of that promise, so we must ponder, are we as faithful as Joseph? Let us pray so.

 

PRAYER OF THE DAY: “God our Father, Creator and Ruler of the universe, in every age you call people to develop and use gifts for the good of others. Blessed Joseph your foster father responded faithfully and so we as that you help us to do the work you have asked of us and come to the rewards you have promised. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “The Lord has arrayed Joseph, like with a sun, in all which the saints possess together in regard to light and splendor. – St Gregory of Nazianzus

Lenten DisciplineMindful of the festival day celebrate with a treat associated for the day with a cavazune, which is somewhat like a deep-fried filled cookie. Another favorite is the puff pastry filled with ricotta and chocolate, and sometimes just a well-stuffed cream puff.

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