Wednesday, March 18, 2020

St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 19 March 2020

St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 19 March  Solemnity
(This is a weekday Feast)
Readings

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

Psalm 88:2-5, 27, 29 R. "The son of David will live forever."

Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22;

Gospel Acclamation: (Ps 83:5). "Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ! How happy they who dwell in your house, O Lord; continually they sing your praise! Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!"

**Luke 2:41-51
 Stock illustration Shutterstock licensed image - ID: 586044503 – "Holy family of Jesus, Mary and St Joseph the worker."  Artistic abstract religious design. By Thoom.
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Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the Solemnity of St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary  by clicking this link here:   https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ep-213-saint-joseph-2020/s-3Jiqn  (EPISODE:213)
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Today we commemorate Saint Joseph. SPOUSE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY and step-father to the Lord Jesus.

A carpenter, though born of the royal house of David, Joseph was an upright man who, as the husband of the Virgin Mary, cared for Mary and the child Jesus. Venerated in the East after the fourth century and his veneration spread throughout the West during the fifteenth century, especially following the development of medieval nativity plays, the Christmas crib, and due to increased devotion to Mary.
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For people throughout the world dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic. That the Lord will grant healing and strength and support the medical and emergency response people. Lord hear us.  Lord Save us.
We continue to pray for all people throughout the world - the many people- who are suffering due to the Coronavirus pandemic -  We pray for those who have died, that the Lord will receive them into his care. For bereaved family and friends, who also have experienced the isolation from loved ones at this time of health-restrictions and quaranteen. We also pray for everyone affected by this terrible illness, including all suffering the isolation and the severe economic and financial effects. May the Lord inspire people of goodwill to find practical solutions to help and heal and lessen the burdens of so many.
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Saint Joseph is an excellent and very fitting person to honour and have devotion to.  He had such wonderful qualities:  he was  -
Good, pure, faithful, a beautiful guardian and step-father to Our Lord, a faithful and devoted husband to the Blessed Virgin Mary, hardworking, trusting, utterly and immediately obedient to God, humble, an excellent protector and provider, a loyal servant of God and faithful to God's plan at all times.

Saint Joseph's words are not recorded in the Scriptures,  but his actions, his faithfulness and obedience and care are clearly attested there.

Many people throughout history have spoken of the significance of Joseph.  Here are some excellent quotes:

Some Quotes about Saint Joseph

St. Joseph was chosen among all men, to be the protector and guardian of the Virgin Mother of God; the defender and foster-father of the Infant-God, and the only co-operator upon earth, the one confidant of the secret of God in the work of the redemption of mankind. - St. Bernard of Clairvaux
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Saint Joseph was a just man, a tireless worker, the upright guardian of those entrusted to his care. May he always guard, protect and enlighten families. - Pope John Paul II
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(moved position)
Would that I could persuade all men to be devoted to this glorious Saint [St. Joseph], for I know by long experience what blessings he can obtain for us from God. I have never known anyone who was truly devoted to him and honored him by particular services who did not advance greatly in virtue: for he helps in a special way those souls who commend themselves to him. It is now very many years since I began asking him for something on his feast, and I have always received it. If the petition was in any way amiss, he rectified it for my greater good . . . I ask for the love of God that he who does not believe me will make the trial for himself—then he will find out by experience the great good that results from commending oneself to this glorious Patriarch and in being devoted to him .- St.Teresa of Avila
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We should, indeed, honour St. Joseph, since the Son of God Himself was graciously pleased to honour him by calling him father. The Holy Scriptures speak of him as the father of Jesus. "His father and mother were marvelling at the things spoken  -concerning Him" (Luke 2:33). Mary also used this name: "in sorrow, thy father and I have been seeking thee" (Luke 2:48). If then, the King of Kings was pleased to raise Joseph to so high a dignity, it is right and obligatory on our part to endeavour to honour him as much as we can.  - St. Alphonsus Liguori
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St Alphonsus goes on to say:

Go, then to Joseph, and do all that he shall say to you;
Go to Joseph, and obey him as Jesus and Mary obeyed him;
Go to Joseph, and speak to him as they spoke to him;
Go to Joseph, and consult him as they consulted him;
Go to Joseph, and honour him as they honoured him;
Go to Joseph, and be grateful to him as they were grateful to him;
Go to Joseph, and love him, as they love him still.
- St. Alphonsus Liguori
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and also:

The two disciples, going to Emmaus, (Lk. 24:13-31) were inflamed with divine love by the few moments which they spent in company with our Savior, and by His words. What flames of holy love must not, then, have been enkindled in the heart of St. Joseph, who for thirty years conversed with Jesus Christ, and listened to His words of eternal life; who observed the perfect example which Jesus gave of humility and patience, and saw the promptness with which He obeyed and helped him in his labours, and all that was needed for the household! - St. Alphonsus Liguori

(taken from http://thecatholicreader.blogspot.com/2013/06/quotes-about-st-joseph.html

Saint Joseph, (Step-father and Guardian of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and faithful husband to the Blessed Virgin Mary), pray for us.
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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly

Seasonal information - Liturgy Brisbane. Liturgybrisbane.

Quotes about Saint Joseph. (2020). [online] Thecatholicreader.blogspot.com. Available at: http://thecatholicreader.blogspot.com/2013/06/quotes-about-st-joseph.html [Accessed 12 Feb. 2020].

Stock illustration Shutterstock licensed image - ID: 586044503 – "Holy family of Jesus, Mary and St Joseph the worker."  Artistic abstract religious design. By Thoom.
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Archive of homilies and reflections:  http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: 
paulwkelly68@gmail.com

To listen to my weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here.
NB - It is often a week or so Ahead: 
https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks

You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by sending an email to this address:
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Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection"  - Led by Rev Paul Kelly

Prayers and chants  — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)

Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989,  and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)

"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009,  The Grail - Collins publishers.

Prayers of the Faithful -   " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'.   E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993) . (Sydney Australia).

{Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" -  by Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The ….Gloria,  copyright 2011 ccwatershed.org. }

"Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - in memory of  William John Kelly -     Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

"Today I Arise" - For Patricia Kelly.  Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer.  Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

[ Production -  KER -  2020]

May God bless and keep you.
 
St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 19 March Solemnity (EPISODE: 213 )
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
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{{Good day everyone}}

Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.
Lord Jesus, you have revealed yourself as the way to the Father: Lord, have mercy//You have poured out on your people the Spirit of truth: Christ, have mercy//You are the Good Shepherd, leading us to eternal life: Lord, have mercy.//
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.  Amen.
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Memorial Acclamation
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
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Easter I
Euch Prayer One
Communion side.  pwk: 
RH
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{
thanks everyone. And may God sustain you with his grace and love.}

Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.

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