Tuesday, March 19, 2024
ST. JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF B.V.M (Solemnity)
Office: Psalter Week 3
Mass prop. Gloria. Creed
Preface of St Joseph
Vestment: White
Today’s Rosary: Joyful Mystery
Click HERE for the Previous Catholic Daily Reading
Theme of the Feast: JOSEPH, A MAN ENCHANTED BY THE DREAMS OF GOD.
The first reading proclaims an everlasting kingdom and how God has decided to grant it to a “son of David.” The Gospel proclaims the accomplishment of the promise made to David: one of his descendants has fulfilled the words of Nathan beyond all expectations. The second reading speaks of Abraham, the man who placed his trust in God. Like Abraham, Joseph too believed that the dreams of God would be fulfilled. Abraham and Joseph prove that whoever puts their trust in God will never be disappointed.
THE GLORIA
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
FIRST READING
“The Lord God will give to him the throne of his father, David” (Lk 1.32).
A reading from the second Book of Samuel (2 Samuel 7:4-5a.12—14a. 16)
In those days: The word of the Lord came to Nathan, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me; your throne shall be established for ever. ”’
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 89:2-3.4-5.27 and 29 (R. 37a)
R/. His descendants shall continue forever.
I will sing forever of your mercies, O Lord;
through all ages my mouth will proclaim your fidelity.
I have declared your mercy is established forever;
your fidelity stands firm as the heavens. R/.
“With my chosen one I have made a covenant;
I have sworn to David my servant:
I will establish your descendants forever,
and set up your throne through all ages.” R/.
R/. His descendants shall continue forever.
“He will call out to me, ‘You are my father,
my God, the rock of my salvation. ’
I will keep my faithful love for him always;
with him my covenant shall last.” R/.
SECOND READING
“In hope he believed against hope. ”
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (Romans 4: 13.16-18.22)
Brethren: The promise to Abraham and his descendants, that they should inherit the world, did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. That is why all depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants — not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham, for he is the father of us all, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations” — in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations; as he had been told, “So shall your descendants be.” That is why his faith was “reckoned to him as righteousness.”
The word of the Lord.
Also Read: Daily Reading for Monday, March 18th, 2024
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Psalm 84:4
Glory and praise to you, O Christ. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, O Lord, ever singing your praise! Glory and praise to you, O Christ.
GOSPEL
“Joseph did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 1:16.18—21.24a)
Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Or the following:
GOSPEL
“Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously. ”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 2:41-51a)
The parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the company they went a day’s journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.” And he said to them, “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them.
The Gospel of the Lord.
THE CREED (I Believe)
I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
Celebrant:
Gathered together as God’s family, with Saint Joseph who lived in humility and trust in the will of God, let us make our petitions to the father who hears and answers us.
For the ministers of the church: that they may ever abide in God’s divine plan and remain zealous in pastorally caring for all men, women and children of the world. Let us pray to the Lord.
FOR THE GOVERNMENT: that our government may uphold the value of the family and promote the different roles husbands, wives and children are called to play in human society in accordance with God’s plan. Let us pray to the Lord.
FOR MISSIONARIES ALL OVER THE WORLD: that they may cherish more life of service, and may, through the intercession of Saint Joseph, foster desire for the kingdom of God. Let us pray to the Lord.
FOR MARRIED COUPLES: that God may grant them the grace to be faithful to their marital covenant and may support them with his unfailing presence, especially in their moments of difficulties. Let us pray to the Lord.
FOR OTHER INTENTIONS: (the sick, church projects or other activities).
FOR THE DEAD, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF OUR PARISH COMMUNITY AND FAMILY MEMBERS: that they may be led to the complete truth in the kingdom of God. Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray in silence for our private intentions.
Celebrant:
Father, grant to your people the grace you gave to saint Joseph to do your will, even when he did not understand it. Help us to trust in your word, so that through us, the world may experience your kingdom here on earth. Through Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen.
TODAY’S RELECTION
Several prophets of the Old Testament foretold the coming of the Son of God into our world. Nathan was one of them. When eventually the Son came, he came through a young virgin of Nazareth by the name Mary. By the power of the Holy Spirit, the Son of God, the word, took flesh in her womb, and dwelt among us. He became Immanuel, God-with-us. But there was a problem. Mary was engaged to marry a gentleman named Joseph. Not knowing where her pregnancy came from, he decided to terminate the engagement in a way that was as least hurtful to Mary as possible. He was that sensitive and considerate. God brought him into the picture by revealing to him in a dream how Mary’s pregnancy had come about. The just man of faith that Joseph was, he needed no further explanation. He went ahead and made Mary his wife. By so doing, he got more that he had bargained for. He became the foster father of the Son of God. No man has ever been so honoured, and none will ever be so honoured. The human race and, indeed, all creation are greatly indebted to Saint Joseph for his part in the mystery of salvation.
PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL FOR LENT
We are gifted in different ways, but by the same God and our gifts are meant to be put into use for the glory of God. Therefore, when you refuse to use your gift(s) or stop other from using their gift(s), you will be dong the world and yourself a disservice and most importantly you will be disrespecting God who has generously endowed you with these gifts.
Today, make use of that your gift for the good of others and more importantly to the glory of God. You have freely received from God, therefore, be willing to use the gifts freely for the good of humanity. Do not let your gift waste away anymore.
Let Us Pray,
Heavenly Father, help me and all your children to discover and activate our gifts for our good and your glory. May your name be glorified as we work in the world. Amen.
Daily Reading for Tuesday March 19, 2024
Reading 1, Second Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29
Gospel, Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24
Reading 2, Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22
Reading 1, Second Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16
12 David then gave an order to the men, who put them to death, cut off their hands and feet, and hung them up beside the pool of Hebron. Ishbaal’s head they took and buried in Abner’s grave at Hebron.
4 But that very night, the word of Yahweh came to Nathan:
5 ‘Go and tell my servant David, “Yahweh says this: Are you to build me a temple for me to live in?
16 Your dynasty and your sovereignty will ever stand firm before me and your throne be for ever secure.” ‘
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29
2 for you have said: love is built to last for ever, you have fixed your constancy firm in the heavens.
3 ‘I have made a covenant with my Chosen One, sworn an oath to my servant David:
4 I have made your dynasty firm for ever, built your throne stable age after age.
5 The heavens praise your wonders, Yahweh, your constancy in the gathering of your faithful.
27 So I shall make him my first-born, the highest of earthly kings.
29 I have established his dynasty for ever, his throne to be as lasting as the heavens.
Gospel, Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24
16 and Jacob fathered Joseph the husband of Mary; of her was born Jesus who is called Christ.
18 This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
19 Her husband Joseph, being an upright man and wanting to spare her disgrace, decided to divorce her informally.
20 He had made up his mind to do this when suddenly the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit.
21 She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’
24 When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do: he took his wife to his home;
Reading 2, Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22
13 For the promise to Abraham and his descendants that he should inherit the world was not through the Law, but through the uprightness of faith.
16 That is why the promise is to faith, so that it comes as a free gift and is secure for all the descendants, not only those who rely on the Law but all those others who rely on the faith of Abraham, the ancestor of us all
17 (as scripture says: I have made you the father of many nations). Abraham is our father in the eyes of God, in whom he put his faith, and who brings the dead to life and calls into existence what does not yet exist.
18 Though there seemed no hope, he hoped and believed that he was to become father of many nations in fulfilment of the promise: Just so will your descendants be.
22 This is the faith that was reckoned to him as uprightness.
