Solemnity of St Joseph, Husband of Mary

Devotion to St Joseph was a hallmark of St Teresa.  She encouraged her sisters in community to be devoted to him and suggested they turn to him as a master to guide them in prayer.  She named her first convent in Avila St Joseph’s.

In the Book of her Life she wrote “Those who practice prayer should have a special affection for him always. I do not know how anyone can think of the Queen of the Angels, during the time that she suffered so much with the Child Jesus, without giving thanks to Saint Joseph for the way he helped them. If anyone cannot find a master to teach him how to pray, let him take this glorious saint as his master and he will not go astray.” 

In the first reading from the second book of Samuel (7:4-5, 12-14,16) we hear of God’s promise to David “Your House and your sovereignty will always stand secure before me and your throne be established for ever.” 

In the second reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans (4:13, 16-18,22) we are reminded of God’s promise to Abraham and are told that “what fulfils the promise depends on faith.”

In the Gospel from Matthew (1:16, 18-21, 24) we hear of the message of the angel conveyed to Joseph in a dream “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.  She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one to save his people from their sins.

In the alternative Gospel (Luke 2:41-51) we hear the account of the child Jesus in the Temple at the age of 12 and hear Mary’s question “My child, why have you done this to us?  See how worried your father and I have been looking for you.”