Daily Thoughts: Back on May 1,
2013, the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, Pope Francis issues his first decree
of a liturgical nature, it was entitled, “Fatherly Care.” The decree
permanently added the name of St. Joseph to the second, third and fourth
Eucharistic Prayers of the Roman Missal. St. Joseph’s name was already a part
of the first Eucharistic Prayer thanks to a decree by Pope John XXIII. So now
each time a priest prays one of the four Eucharistic Prayers after remembering
the Blessed Virgin Mary he say, “with blessed Joseph, her spouse.”
In today’s Gospel story we get a sense
of why Pope Francis may have chosen to include St. Joseph in our Eucharistic
prayers. Joseph is that gentle, humble man, caring father, who says yes to God.
It certainly was not easy. Culture and society put a great deal of pressure on
him after all to take Mary into his home would mean embarrassment. It was ok to
divorce her publicly or privately. Yet, when push came to shove, when God
called, there was only one thing to do, be a caring man and say yes.
It is good that we remember St. Joseph
today and every day. He is that quiet, gentle, humble man who did not weary God
like Ahaz, but who followed his dreams and teaches us to do the same. As we
stand ready to celebrate the gift of Christmas let us stand with St. Joseph,
faithful, caring and ready to welcome Mary and Jesus into our home!
Have a great Sunday everyone!
Daily Prayer: O God of
Christmas wonder, grace us with the humble caring strength and gentle wisdom of
St. Joseph. May we too listen to the dreams of our hearts which you place there
to guide us on this journey of life. Amen!
Runner’s Thoughts: “And while
these pounds were being shed, while the physiological miracles were occurring
with the heart and muscle and metabolism, psychological marvels were taking
place as well. Just so, the world over, bodies, minds, and souls are constantly
being born again, during miles on the road.” (George Sheehan)
Daily Blessing: Sunday
greetings to everyone! Less than four days until Christmas and less than three
days until we start celebrating the gift of Christmas Mass. I hope everyone is
well today and the busyness of your Christmas preparations is winding down. All
of our snow in gone here in Pelham and the temperature is in the 60’s. Now this
will be short lived and I am not complaining about the temps but it is sad that
we will not have a white Christmas! I know for some of you snow, sleet, ice or
rain is falling, perhaps even in some place all four and that the conditions
outside are not too good. I hope that if this is true for you that you are able
to stay inside and not travel. If you are out and about please be safe.
As we celebrate this Fourth Sunday of
Advent, as we recall Joseph’s positive respond to God’s invitation to be part
of this great story let us ask God to bless us with the faith, the compassion
and the gentleness of Joseph.
Bless us, O God, in the loving spirit of
St. Joseph; bless us today body and soul; bless our dreams, our words and our
actions; bless our journeys; bless all that we have and all that we are that we
will always live our lives to your greater honor.
Bless us with the grace to be
compassionate, forgiving and hopeful that all you have called us to be will
bring about your presence in our lives and in the lives of all we meet. Help us
to be gentle and kind especially when many around us are not.
Gift us with the grace to say “yes” even
when we are unsure where it will take us. Help us to trust in your ever present
love. Amen. Sunday blessings to all! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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