Humbly submit your will to God (Thy Will be done) and consecrate yourself to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through Mary and Joseph.
Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.
Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.”
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home. MT 1:16, 18-21, 24
In his book, The Mystery of St. Joseph, Marie-Dominique Philippe teaches that St. Joseph’s annunciation is today. When the angel Gabriel visits Mary, announcing the birth of our Lord, it is called the Annunciation. Today, an angel comes to Joseph in a dream to announce that the Holy Spirit put Jesus in Mary’s womb. The angel also announces that God wants Mary to be his wife, for them to be married. The “angel of the Lord” also announces to Joseph that he is to name the child Jesus “because he will save his people from their sins”.
The gospel says that Joseph is a “righteous man”. Joseph was chosen by God for a special mission. Mary has already consecrated herself totally to God, now can she also be a wife to St. Joseph? Only if Joseph supports her and consecrates himself to God, too. Joseph must keep silent in Mary’s secret with God, she is carrying the Savior of the world. He must be prudent, chosen by God, to protect Jesus and Mary from danger. Joseph is also called “the worker”. Joseph in his work supports his family financially.
He never speaks in the Bible. We learn that Joseph works and prays, his work is even prayer, offering it up to our Lord. He models for us how to “pray without ceasing”. Mary and Joseph never have relations consecrating themselves to God, we could use these great models of chastity and purity in our sex saturated world. Mary and Joseph, pray for us!
*I try to pray this prayer each morning as a father of children. I suggest mother’s pray it, too!
Prayer of Consecration to St. Joseph for one’s child(ren)
O Glorious St. Joseph, Guardian of the Redeemer, to your paternity the Everlasting Father committed the care of His only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. It was your singular privilege to hear the Eternal Word cry out to you “Abba”, Daddy.
It was your high calling to protect, nurture, provide for and deeply love Christ with a father’s heart.
With that same confidence and trust in your fatherly affection, I come to you this day and ask you to take under your special care the child(ren) that God has blessed me with.
As you guarded and cared for the Child Jesus, so too, as the universal patron of His Catholic Church, you protect and watch over His Mystical Body, which is made up of all baptized souls who are His members.
I consecrate ____________________ to your heart this day and trust in your constant care for them as your own spiritual child(ren). Guard and guide their every step in this life as they make their pilgrimage of faith. By your fervent prayer preserve the purity of their bodies, minds, hearts and souls. By your beautiful example help properly form their affections, appetites, desires and beliefs. Let no abuse, addiction, or demonic influence ensnare them. Defend them against all the dangers and corruption of this world. May they grow in grace and wisdom before God and man.
Dearest St. Joseph, hand in hand with our Blessed Mother Mary, lead us all to your divine son Jesus Christ and the eternal joy of Heaven. Amen.
Two must read books on St. Joseph:
1. “Brother Andre: Friend of the Suffering, Apostle of Saint Joseph” by Jean-Guy Dubuc
I have read this one. Brother Andre is now St. Andre Bessette canonized on Oct. 17th, 2010. He grew up very poor and had a digestive disorder so his favorite meal was flour and water. He wasn’t smart or athletic with a frail body, but he loved St. Joseph a devotion handed down to him by his mother. His intellect kept him from being a priest and the Holy Cross brothers nearly did not accept him. He spent his whole life being obedient to his order by being a porter, welcoming people onto the grounds of Holy Cross. He healed thousands and millions came to him in Canada. He healed through the intercession of St. Joseph. He always gave people St. Joseph medals and rubbed oil of St. Joseph on their bodies (specific to the founder of Holy Cross Brothers). He often prayed into the night to St. Joseph. He wanted to build a chapel in honor of St. Joseph and after he died the basilica of St. Joseph was completed. In it hundreds of crutches and canes are left behind of those St. Andre cured. He is the first male Canadian saint. This is a must read!
2. The Mystery of St. Joseph by Fr. Marie-Dominique Philippe, OD
This one is very deep if you want a theological challenge!
Today’s challenge: Be silent, be righteous (virtuous; morally correct), work and pray without ceasing.
We must have an unfailing devotion to Mary and Joseph. It only makes sense, they spent their lives totally and completely dedicated to God on earth, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. We have perfect models in them. Take time to find an app on St. Joseph and put it on your phone or tablet. Dedicate yourself to it. Read a book on St. Joseph, you won’t be disappointed. Pray to St. Joseph as well as Mary each day.
#Christian YOLO Be a servant Become a saint!
The Scripture today is the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I like this story because it talks how the birth of Jesus starts. The reason this story gives me the most inspiration because its like our lord is about to conceived in the womb and at the same time he is about to save us from our sins.
In today’s gospel I think we are being told about Joseph’s goodness, even in her hard times he supported Mary and Jesus as a father and husband and protector.
What the scripture is saying to me is that we must take the responsibility in things that are not ours and do what we are asked.
It helps us get closer to God
Joseph shall be fully devoted to Mary and Jesus. When a man has a baby with a woman, he shall not leave her on her own. Raising a child or a family is hard work and takes two parents
I think today’s scripture passage is trying to tell us that instead of focusing on other distractions in the world, we should focus more on our faith.
God wants us to be silent and righteous. He wants us to have silence so he can talk to us and so we can here him.
This gospel tells of Joseph’s part in the story. Joseph really had to trust that the Lord knew what he was doing and had courage, which I think we all need in many moments of our lives. Even though Joseph was probably afraid, excited and nervous about being the foster father of our Savior, he isn’t mentioned a lot in the bible and is known for being a woodworker and a righteous man. I think this means that he didn’t complain, but did his job to the Lord. We can all take from this and follow his example of virtues.
We should learn to trust God like Joseph trusts Him. We never know what God has in store for our lives, and sometimes it will seem like everything is going wrong, but He has planned everything perfectly. Joseph probably never imagined that he would marry the Mother of God, but he trusted God to make everything come out the way it should.
I think that this Gospel reading is supposed to remind us of how great of a saint, St. Joseph was. He is one of our greatest role models of how to be a good father and great caregiver. St. Joseph was just like any other man living as a first century Jew. It is not like God sent down a robot who knew everything that God also knew as Joseph, he was a normal person and Joseph was very surprised when God called him to be the foster father of Jesus. We need to be accepting of our call to either the married life, the religious life, or the single life. All of these things are options for us, and we need to be open to them. The only way to do that is by reading the scriptures and listening to God every day,
Living by faith I believe is the way to get to Heaven. Joseph had faith in God, so he took Mary into his home. He was rewarded for his faith. We also will get rewarded with the eternal gift of Heaven if we stick with our faith like Joseph did.
Joseph was courageous enough to take up Mary as his wife despite bearing a child. He said “yes” to the Lord just as Mary had. The angels showed him what he had to do and he listened. If the angles were to come today, would you respond with courage, and listen to God?
God chose Joseph to be Mary’s wife because Joseph is a righteous man and he will not do something to disobey God.
Today’s Gospel is the story is about Joseph. We can all be a little more like Joseph because he stays with Mary even knowing that it might become difficult at some points in their journey together. Sometimes when thing get difficult for us we just give up on them, but Joseph can teach us how to be resilient and never give up.
Today’s scripture reflection is very meaningful to me. I think the main meaning of this scripture is that Jesus will never leave us, he is always near. Also, I think the bigger meaning is that if we don’t truly know how to do something or we want someone, if he knows it’s the best he will truly give it to us. So, for example when someone doesn’t like us in the relationship way, that should be Jesus telling you he will have someone better in store for you that will help both of you make it to Heaven. So when we don’t see the good things just remember Jesus knows what’s best and will NEVER leave us lonely.
Jesus was born to a humble family like all of us. When God sent Jesus to the earth he wanted us to know that he is willing to become human for us.
I think the scripture is saying that we need to trust even if we do not think it will work out. We all need to be able to listen to the Holy Spirit and be open to our individual calls.
Today, we get the famous story of Joseph being visited by the Angel. Asking him to take this woman who he thought had cheated on him, into his home and to marry her. How absurd is that, this woman who might have very well cheated on her husband, she could get stoned for that, but alas he does as God has instructed
Even before the Holy Spirit came, Joseph did not want to bring Mary shame. Then, he obediently did as the angel told him as well. He is truly someone to look up to.
Don’t go against God. What he has planned for you is the way he wants you to go.
To me, the scripture is telling me that we are all called to do something special, like Joseph was. We all can also grow into an improved person.
“Since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.” Joseph cared a lot for Mary, so he decided to leave her instead of shame and kill her. He did not know that she conceived because of the Holly Spirit. When he was told that this happened, he left all plans to leave and stayed with her.
Today’s scripture told of how Mary carried the baby Jesus through the Holy Spirit. When Joseph found out she was with baby he decided to divorce her quietly. Of course he didn’t know that if was because of the Holy Spirit that a baby has been conceived in her and that this baby is going to save everyone from their sins. Of course God spoke to Joseph about his worries. Joseph is a good righteous man, and wanted to help care for Mary and the child. He would protect, support, work, and pray for his family. We must be like Joseph and love our family with our whole heart.
In this scripture, it really shows the actual trust he has in God. Did Joseph need a bit of reassurance from God? Yes, yes he did. And that’s perfectly fine. God is here to love and guide us through life. We just need to make sure we do turn to him.
Like Joseph, we need to listen to God’s word and do what He asked of us. We in return will be given eternal life with Him in Heaven.
I think the best thing you can take away from this gospel is that Joseph was told to do something by an angel and he listened. We must be like St. Joseph. We may not get visions or dreams of angels from God. But, we may feel a little tug on our heart to do something nice. If we are given an opportunity to help someone always take it.
I think this scripture is telling us that we cannot be afraid of God’t call. We have to trust what he is calling us to do. Even if we think that is wrong or another option would be easier we have to have faith that God know everything.
I think this scripture is trying to tell us that we should devote our time to Jesus like Mary and Joseph did. Even if that means just 15 minutes of silent prayer time. If we don’t devote time to God, then we will not be able to grow closer to him.
Joseph and Mary accepted the Will of God, and we should too. We need to say yes to God. “Do whatever He tells you,” Mary said to the servants. We need to be obedient to God because obedience is the first step to holiness.
This scripture tells us to put all faith in God and you will be just fine. We don’t want to follow the way of the world. The way of the world will lead us to hell. The way of God will lead us to the kingdom of Heaven and eternal happiness and eternal life.
This gospel tells of Joseph’s part in the story. Joseph really had to trust that the Lord knew what he was doing and had courage, which I think we all need in many moments of our lives.
I think that this Scripture is telling us to always trust what God has planned and what has happened through God.
We all have a unfailing devotion to Mary and Joseph. WE the people need to work on that and pray and spend time with HIM. WE the people aren’t spending enough time with Jesus and just using Him as a slot machine.
I think that this is saying that we need to trust in God that He will lead us in life.
Joseph did as God told him to. God called Joseph and he did as God asked, I like to ask questions before or ignore things, but Joseph understood and listened to God’s call.
Pray to St. Joseph and read his books. That’s all I’m gonna say.
This scripture reminds us of St. Joseph. St. Joseph had a big part to play, raising Jesus, chose to not leave Mary. Joseph received a vision that Mary was bearing the Son of God, so then Joseph did not divorce Mary.
I think that this Scripture passage is telling me to obey our Lord. Like Joseph obeyed the Angel who obeyed Jesus, we must too.
What this scripture reflection says to me is that we all need to try to listen for when Jesus calls for all of us because he is just trying to try to get us to go down the right path and make it to him. because then when we do, we will be able to go to heaven and live with him for the rest of his life.
“she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.” marry the mother of god had a miricule done to her through the holy spirit. she prayed every day and the holy spirit came through.
This scripture is telling me to be a little like Joseph. Joseph took in a woman who he thought cheated on him. He could have divorced her and she would have been stoned. But he divorced her quietly. And in his dream God told him to take Mary as his wife. Joseph listened to God. We should be a lot more like Joseph.
This scripture is teaching us that no matter what God will always has a plan for you and you should never deny him.
Joseph’s dream is odd. Mainly because it’s not a dream. It’s sort of like a vision. Dreams don’t actually exist, but the angel talking to Joseph did.
Even if we don’t know what is happening, when God tells us to do something, we should trust it unwillingly.
Today’s Scripture passage is saying that we should give thanks and praise to Mary and Joseph for keeping our Savior Jesus Christ safe. Mary and Joseph are role models that we should learn from and follow. We should work hard and remember the devotions of Mary and Joseph.
The gospel is teaching me about the time Jesus was born to when he was resurrected. And how to be a little more like Joseph because he had to help Mary with a big task before the Lord was born.
Jesus is trying to say that we need to be quiet so that we can listen to him preach his word. Just like how we are quiet in mass so that we can listen to the reading and Gospel to know what he did in his life to show how he loved God.
To me this means that Joseph is talking to the angel about Mary and how she had a child even though she did not have any type of relations with a man
Joseph was a very brave man. He took Mary as his wife even when she got pregnant when they had no relations. He walked so far and did so many things and I think we should recognize him more.
One of the main stories that I think about when I hear about the birth of Jesus is the vision that Joseph gets to go out and bring his wife and baby Jesus to Egypt to get away from the soldiers that are out looking for him. That is how someone should act towards their family and to protect them even if that means losing their own life.
Don’t be afraid to follow the Lord’s will. The Lord’s wishes are always priority over what your peers think. If you think that God is telling you to become a priest, but your family is not Catholic and will ridicule you for it, do it anyway. God has great plans for you, and you shouldn’t allow youe peers to prevent you from doing what you think is best.
What I got from this Gospel is that when something comes your way unexpectedly you can’t just run away from it, you need to step up and face it. Joseph did this when he agreed to help raise Jesus, even though he was scared.
Jesus died for us because of the great amount of love he has for each and every single one of us.
What stood out to me was, “WHEN JOSEPH AWOKE, HE DID AS THE ANGEL OF THE LORD HAD COMMANDED HIM AND TOOK HIS WIFE INTO HIS HOME.” It stood out to me because Joseph didn’t have a spouse but he still did what the angel told him and that’s what we should do. We should listen to God even if it doesn’t make sense.
I think God is telling us to trust Him like Joseph trust Him. He gives us a good example why we should trust Him
We all need to be like Joseph and trust in the Lord.
I think that this Gospel reading says that we must always know that God is there for us and that we can always count on him.
Courage. Courage is hard to find. It took courage for Joseph to take Mary into his arms. He had courage to trust in the Lord and take Mary as his wife. We are challenged with decisions everyday so have Courage.
Joseph and Mary accepted the Will of God, and we should too. We need to say yes to God. “Do whatever He tells you,” Mary said to the servants. We need to be obedient to God because obedience is the first step to holiness.