Daily Readings for March 19, 2015

Solemnity of Joseph, Husband of Mary

1ST READING

There are many prophecies in the Old Testament about the coming of the Messiah. To be a truly Messianic prophecy, it has to mention the Davidic line as the reading does. As far back as 1,000 years before the birth of Christ, there was already a prophecy about the coming of a Messiah. The Jews were an extremely patient people, even more so when you consider they are still waiting, albeit, in vain.

2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16

4 The Lord spoke to Nathan and said: 5 “Go, tell my servant David, 12 ‘When your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm. 13 It is he who shall build a house for my name. And I will make his royal throne firm forever. 14 I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. 16 Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.’”

P S A L M

Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29

R: The son of David will live forever.

1 [2] The promise of the Lord I will sing forever; through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness, 2 [3] for you have said, “My kindness is established forever”; in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness. (R) 3 [4] “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant: 4 [5] forever will I confirm your posterity and establish your throne for all generations.” (R) 26 [27] “He shall say of me, ‘You are my father, my God, the Rock, my savior!’ (R) 28 [29] Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him, and my covenant with him stands firm.” (R)

2ND READING

Righteousness is not a matter of our works but is based on our faith in the promises of God. This is how Abraham became righteous. Faith is the same today as it has always been — and always will be. We cannot save ourselves no matter what we do. All we can do is trust in what Jesus has done for us in His passion, death and resurrection.

Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22

13 Brothers and sisters: It was not through the law that the promise was made to Abraham and his descendants that he would inherit the world, but through the righteousness that comes from faith. 16 For this reason, it depends on faith, so that it may be a gift, and the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants, not to those who only adhere to the law but to those who follow the faith of Abraham, who is the father of all of us, 17 as it is written, I have made you father of many nations. He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not exist. 18 He believed, hoping against hope, that he would become “the father of many nations,” according to what was said, “Thus shall your descendants be.” 22 That is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”

GOSPEL

Let us spare a thought for St. Joseph today. It was not easy for him to accept what God was asking of him. It was an enormous privilege but it involved great suffering and hardship. He was exiled to Egypt with Mary and Jesus, and then he raises a child that he knew was not his. He was a good and upright man who wanted to do the right thing. Let us learn from his example.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Blessed are those who dwell in your house, O Lord; they never cease to praise you.

Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24 (or Luke 2: 41-51)

16 Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. 18 Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. 20 Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. 21 She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 24 When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

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