Saint Joseph, husband of Mary

From stained glass window to modern artwork,
from Bethlehem to Nazareth and on to every nation on earth,
Saint Joseph as "husband of Mary" finds a home in each family.

Chosen by God to be head of the Holy Family, he ensures

* the continuation of the promise made to King David,
"Your House and your sovereignty
will always stand secure before me
and your throne be established for ever"
(2 Sam 7:16);

* the reality of David's prayer that
"His dynasty shall last forever" for
"You are my father, my God, the rock who saves me"
(Ps 88);

* the promise made to Abraham is not lost:
"Abraham hoped and he believed,
and through doing so he did become the father of many nations
exactly as he had been promised ...
This is the faith that 'considered as justifying him' "
(Rom 4:13. 16-18. 22).

Tradition celebrates this role of Saint Joseph.
Scripture confirms that celebration. We can celebrate
how Saint Joseph lived today's Password,
Let it be done what God has thought for us:

* by realising something greater than his own opinion
was at stake, when "the angel of the Lord
appeared to him in a dream"
(Mt 1:16. 18-21. 24);

* and when Jesus is lost for three days at the age of twelve,
"See how worried your father and I have been,
looking for you"
(Lk 2:41-51).

Let it be done what God has thought for us.

What has God "thought" for you today?
How can you share in being "head of your household"
like Saint Joseph, whether you are wife, husband,
single parent, child or relative...?

What is "something greater than your own opinion"
when it comes to God's Plan of forgiveness and reconciliation?
Are you "worried" when Jesus is lost in your family?
Jesus is still there, waiting for you to expose His presence,
a healing, forgiving presence...
Let it be done what God has thought for us.

Let the faith of Abraham inspire your faith,
and continue to justify you, as it did for Saint Joseph!
Let the "dynasty" of King David pass on through you,
a "son of David" with Christ alive in you,
as Jesus was "alive" in Saint Joseph's heart!

Let Saint Joseph find a home in you today,
as you live the Word,
through today's Password:
Let it be done what God has thought for us.

Stay blessed!

G

[pics:
top: a stained glass window imagehttp://douglawrence.wordpress.com/2010/03/19/the-solemnity-of-st-joseph/
lower: artwork by Michael O'Brienhttp://airmaria.com/2009/03/23/st-joseph-foster-father-of-jesus/ ]

Just received from my friend, Lorna "a copy of a painting by guido reni
which i saw at the hermitage museum in st petersburg.
It really grabbed me! the love was almost tangible."http://gerhard-hattinghsblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/saint-joseph-husband-of-mary.html