Monday 20 March 2023

Today is Monday the 20th of March, the feast of St Joseph, Spouse of Our Lady.

Juliano Ravanello sings, ‘Te Joseph Celebrent’. This music tells the story of St Joseph’s journey:

You did embrace the new-born Lord,
and to the furthest Egypt coasts you followed Him in exile,
Lost in Jerusalem, you sought and found Him,
mixing joy with tears.
As you listen, you might like to recall and stay with a moment of the Holy Family that is staying with you today…


Te, Joseph, celebrent agmina caelitum
Te cuncti resonent christiadum chori
Qui clarus meritis junctus et inclytae
Casto foedere Virgini.
Almo cum tumidam germine conjugem
admirans dubio tangeris anxius,
afflatu superi flaminis angelus
conceptum puerum docet.
Tu natum Dominum stringis ad dexteras,
Aegipti profugum tu sequeris plagas:
amissum Solymis qaeris et invenis,
miscens gaudia fletibus.


Let the hosts of heaven celebrate you, Joseph,
Let all the choirs of Christendom resound you
who, famous for your merits,
was joined to the glorious Virgin in chaste wedlock.
When your betrothed became great with precious seed,
amazement and doubt made you anxious.
It is by the breath of the divine Spirit,
an Angel tells you, that the son has been conceived.
You did embrace the new-born Lord,
and to the furthest Egypt coasts you followed Him in exile,
Lost in Jerusalem, you sought and found Him,
mixing joy with tears.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matt 1:16,18-21,24


Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah. Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife.

The gospels record not a single word spoken by Joseph. We only know him through his actions. What strikes you first about the way that he acts in this passage?

Despite the stigma of the situation in the eyes of society, Joseph stands by Mary here. What does this tell you about him?

As you hear the passage read again, notice especially the angel’s message to Joseph. What do you think that he would have made of it?

Finally, in this time of prayer, you might like to place yourself in the scene and speak to Joseph about what you’ve seen of him here. Or speak to God about what Joseph’s example says to you.

You have given all to me
To you, Lord, I return it
Everything is Yours
Do with it what you will
Give me only your love and your grace
That is enough for me.
Amen.