NAZARETH: DAY 1
Week 1: Getting to know Mary and Joseph
LISTEN: What kind of husband was Joseph?
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“According to Jewish custom, marriage took place in two stages: first, the legal, or true marriage was celebrated, and then, only after a certain period of time, the husband brought the wife into his own house. Thus, before he lived with Mary, Joseph was already her ‘husband.’”
Blessed John Paul II, Redemptoris Custos, no. 18
“Addressing Joseph through the words of the angel, God speaks to him as the husband of the Virgin of Nazareth. What took place in her through the power of the Holy Spirit also confirmed in a special way the marriage bond which already existed between Joseph and Mary. God's messenger was clear in what he said to Joseph: ‘Do not fear to take Mary your wife into your home.’ … In the [words from the Angel] Joseph not only heard the divine truth concerning his wife's indescribable vocation; he also heard once again the truth about his own vocation.”
Blessed John Paul II, Redemptoris Custos, no. 18
Imagine how many times Joseph would have prayed with his wife, Mary. Imagine how often they would have prayed the Psalms. Begin today by reading Psalm 61. Read it a few times. Listen to the word or phrase God using to speak to you. Now return to Psalm 85. Read it a few times. Again, listen to the word or phrase God using to speak to you.
Now, prayerfully imagine the “hidden scene” of Nazareth. Imagine an ordinary evening in the home of the Holy Family. Jesus is sleeping. Mary and Joseph are enjoying the evening together. Joseph and Mary long to pray with each other. Imagine May singing Psalm 61. Joseph follows her as he sings Psalm 85. Then … together … in silence … they listen to what God is saying to them about their marriage. Then, they turn to you. They ask you, “What’ s on your heart today?” What do you want to tell them? Listen to what they say in reply.
TODAY'S PRAYER: “Jesus, I desire know you in a deeply personal way. Help me to know where you and Joseph are in my vocation.”
© Fr. Mark Toups, 2014
READINGS AT TODAY'S DAILY MASS
FRIDAY OF THE 1ST WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME
MEMORIAL OF SAINT ANTHONY, ABBOT
FRIDAY OF THE 1ST WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME
MEMORIAL OF SAINT ANTHONY, ABBOT
