This is why we should love others above all

Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of Mary

In today’s reflection, Fr. Ron reminds us that sometimes we have to temper our devotion to the law with doing the right thing. This was the problem with the pharisees in scripture. They were so devoted with the strict interpretation of the law that they weren’t able to follow Jesus’ command to love others.

In today’s gospel, we read how Joseph is able to temper his devotion to the law with his love for Mary. Rather than exposing Mary when she becomes pregnant, he divorces her quietly and does the right thing.
We, like Joseph, must make the decision to do the right things and love people.

READINGS:
2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16;
Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29;
Rom 4:13, 16-18, 22;
Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a

Prayer to St. Joseph:

To you, O blessed Joseph, do we come in our afflictions, and having implored the help of your most holy Spouse, we confidently invoke your patronage also.

Through that charity which bound you to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the paternal love with which you embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg you graciously to regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood, and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities.

O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ; O most loving father, ward off from us every contagion of error and corrupting influence; O our most mighty protector, be kind to us and from heaven assist us in our struggle with the power of darkness.

As once you rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protect God’s Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection, so that, supported by your example and your aid, we may be able to live piously, to die in holiness, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven. Amen.