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Whenever we choose not to do what we want because of a love for others, that is sacrifice. Whenever we refuse to allow an unkind thought about another to take up residence in our minds, that is sacrifice. Whenever we refuse to speak a word that will bring unnecessary pain to another then we are . . . offering a sacrifice."
- Ed Hays, In Pursuit of the Great White Rabbit -
(How do sacrifices help you to grow? What kinds of sacrifices are you likely to be called to make this day? Ask the Spirit to prepare you to do so.)
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- solemnity of St. Joseph
2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16; Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29; Rom 4:13, 16-18, 22
Lk 2:41-51a
Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover,
and when he was twelve years old,
they went up according to festival custom.
After they had completed its days, as they were returning,
the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem,
but his parents did not know it.
Thinking that he was in the caravan,
they journeyed for a day
and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances,
but not finding him,
they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.
After three days they found him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the teachers,
listening to them and asking them questions,
and all who heard him were astounded
at his understanding and his answers.
When his parents saw him,
they were astonished,
and his mother said to him,
“Son, why have you done this to us?
Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.”
And he said to them,
“Why were you looking for me?
Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
But they did not understand what he said to them.
He went down with them and came to Nazareth,
and was obedient to them.
USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Scripture
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“I will be a Father to Him, and He shall be a Son to Me.” -2 Samuel 7:14
Both the title of this teaching and the above Scripture refer to the Lord and not to St. Joseph. However, both are aptly applied to Joseph. Joseph’s entire identity derived from his unique relationship to Jesus as the foster-father of the Son of God.
Most men find their identity in their own prowess rather than from their subordinate relationship to another person. Yet Joseph is identified in Scripture as “the husband of Mary” (Mt 1:16), perhaps the only man in the entire Bible identified this way. On the surface, it might seem from this description that Joseph was a second-class man. But Joseph took his identity from his relationship with Jesus, and Mary was undeniably the
mother of Jesus. Joseph was linked to Jesus through Mary; hence, he is described as Mary’s husband to spotlight his unique relationship to Jesus.
I’m certain that St. Joseph is rejoicing in heaven whenever people refer to him because of his link to Jesus rather than for his own sake. Joseph found the meaning of life when Jesus entered his world (see Phil 1:21). With great faith (Rm 4:16), Joseph subordinated his life to Jesus, serving Him with love. In giving up his life for Jesus, Joseph found out who he was (Mt 10:39).
With Joseph, let us live no longer for ourselves, but for Jesus (2 Cor 5:15). Live by faith in Jesus (Gal 2:20).
Prayer: Jesus, immerse me in You, surround me with You, consume me in Your love (Heb 12:29).
Promise: “All depends on faith, everything is grace.” —Rm 4:16
Praise: “When a man walks in integrity and justice, happy are his children after him!” (Prv 20:7). St. Joseph, pray for us!
Presentation Ministries
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Abandonment to Divine Providence
- by Jean-Pierre de Caussade
BOOK II,
CHAPTER IV. CONCERNING THE ASSISTANCE RENDERED BY THE FATHERLY PROVIDENCE OF GOD TO THOSE SOULS WHO HAVE ABANDONED THEMSELVES TO HIM
SECTION 8. Self-guidance a mistake
God imparts to the soul in the state of abandonment by means which seem more likely to destroy it.
There is a time when God would be the life of the soul, and Himself accomplish its perfection in secret and unknown ways. Then all its own ideas, lights, industries, examinations, and reasonings become sources of illusion. After many experiences of the sad consequences of self-guidance, the soul recognising its uselessness, and finding that God has hidden and confused all the issues, is forced to fly to Him to
find life. Then, convinced of its nothingness and of the harmfulness of all that it derives from itself, it abandons itself to God to gain all from Him. It is then that God becomes the source of its life, not by means of ideas, lights, or reflexions, for all this is no longer anything to it but a source of illusion; but in reality, and by His grace, which is hidden under the strangest appearances.
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