St Joseph, like his holy bride Mary, was of David’s
tribe and therefore also of royal blood.
Invitation
May I hereby draw your attention to
the daily reading of the Gospel?
This invitation wants to share with You the joy
of the Gospel. Everyone, no one excepted,
can experience that joy by opening their hearts
to the healing power of God’s word.
Available every day
Considerations
The image we have of St Joseph became somewhat distorted over time. We think of him as the one who stood somewhat in Mary’s shadow. He had only ‘a supporting role’ many think. In doing so, are we not doing this beautiful figure an injustice? Joseph’s role in salvation history is exceptional. His father role in the life of Jesus should not be underestimated. Letting God work discreetly in your life, even when it causes difficulties, is a basic attitude that should be every believer’s own. Letting God into your daily doings: Is there a better way to salvation? Staying in the background and yet being great in faith. Isn’t that what many simple-minded people try to do? Caring for those entrusted to you and seeing in them a divine mission: It graces Joseph.
FIRST READING II Sam. 7, 4-5a.12-14a.16
God the Lord will grant him the throne of his father David (Lk 1:32).
From the second Book of Samuel
In those days
the word of the Lord was addressed to the prophet Natan :
‘Say to my servant David :
Thus speaks the Lord :
When thy days are ended
and thou rest with thy fathers,
will I exalt the descendant whom thou begot,
exalt high and uphold his royal power.
‘He shall build a house in honour of My name
and I will keep his royal throne
uphold forever.
‘I will be his father and he will be my son.
‘So your house and your royal power will
stand forever ;
your throne will stand firm forever.’
INTERLUDIUM Ps 89(88), 2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29
His posterity will remain forever.
Your favours, Lord, I want to sing,
proclaim Your faithfulness to every generation.
You have said, My favour endures forever,
heaven is the foundation of my faithfulness.
I have made a covenant with David,
promised my chosen servant with an oath :
I will uphold thy posterity forever,
in all ages thy throne shall endure.
He shall call upon me : Thou art my Father,
my God, the rock of my salvation.
Forever he can count on my mercy,
forever my covenant with him remains in force.
SECOND READING Rom. 4, 13.16-18.22
Against all hope, he hoped.
From the letter of the holy apostle Paul to the Christians of Rome
Brothers and sisters,
The promise made to Abraham and his descendants
That they would inherit the world,
rests not on the law
but on the righteousness of faith.
Therefore, it depends on faith
and therefore on grace
and the promise is assured for all posterity,
not only for those who have received the law
but for all who follow the faith
of all our father Abraham.
After all, of him it is written :
‘I have made thee father of many nations’.
He is this before the face of God,
in whom he has believed,
who makes the dead alive
and resurrects what does not exist.
Against all hope, he has hoped
and believed that he would become the father of many nations,
as it was said to him :
‘So numerous shall thy posterity be.’
Therefore, it was imputed to him as righteousness.
VERS FOR THE GOSPEL Ps. 84(83), 5
Alleluia.
Happy those who dwell in Your house, O Lord,
who may praise You there always.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL Mt 1:16,18-21,24a
Joseph did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him.
From the holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to
Matthew
Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary,
and of her was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
The birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way :
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph
she appeared, before they went to live together,
pregnant with the Holy Spirit.
Because Joseph, her husband, was righteous
and did not want to compromise her,
he considered
quietly divorcing her.
While he was contemplating this,
an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream
who spoke to him :
‘Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary, your wife, to yourself ;
the child in her womb is of the Holy Spirit.
‘She will give birth to a son whom you must name Jesus ,
for He will save His people from their sins.’
Awakened from sleep
Joseph did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him.
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Fratelli tutti
Encyclical of
POPE FRANCISCUS
On brotherhood and social friendship
Reclaiming kindness
222. Consumerist individualism causes much injustice.
Others become pure obstacles to one’s own cosiness. Eventually
one thus treats them as inconvenient and aggressiveness increases. This increases
further increases and reaches exasperating levels in periods of crisis, in catastrophic
situations, in difficult moments, when the spirit of ‘save who
can save himself’ emerges. Nevertheless, it is still possible
to choose to be kind. There are those who do this and who
become stars in the midst of darkness.
To be continued
Every day at 1 am
The Bible text in this edition is taken from The New Bible Translation,
©Dutch Bible Society 2004/2007.
Considerations from Liturgical suggestions for weekdays and Sundays
Fratelli tutti Official English translation
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