Monday 19 March

ST JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY – PATRON OF DUNEDIN DIOCESE
2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16; Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29; Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22; Matthew 1:16, 18, 21, 24
You must name him Jesus
A spiritual image of St Joseph is glimpsed in the just man of Psalm 1. He delights in the law of the Lord; he’s like a tree planted beside the stream that drinks deeply from the flowing waters of God’s living word. Matthew describes Joseph as attentive and responsive to God, Mary and Jesus. By taking Mary home as his wife and naming her son, Joseph embraced his vocation as Mary’s husband and Jesus’ father.
Lord Jesus, you entrusted yourself to Mary and Joseph. Help me entrust myself to them now and at the hour of my death.