A statue of St. Joseph is seen as Pope Francis leads his general audience at the Vatican March 24, 2021. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Source & Summit: Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(The faithful) taking part in the Eucharistic sacrifice, which is the source and summit of the whole Christian life, offer the Divine Victim to God, and themselves along with it.
-The Second Vatican Council fathers in Lumen Gentium, #11
Source & Summit is a feature of The Western Kentucky Catholic online, celebrating the National Eucharistic Revival: Year of Parish Revival. Intended to help Catholics of our parishes to probe the riches of our liturgical year and celebrate the liturgy well, the column will always start with the Bible readings for the Mass of the Day to help us reflect on, and help to “unpack” and expand our experiences at liturgy into the domestic church (the home) and the workplace.
Sunday reflections will be based on the Lord’s Day, the Liturgy, the Eucharist, and, occasionally, community.
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031924.cfm
Samuel 7: 4—5a, 12—14a, 16
Psalm 89: 2—5 27—29
Romans 4: 13, 16—18, 22
Matthew 1:16, 18—21, 24a
When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had directed him . . .
We don’t know much at all about St. Joseph. It is interesting to me that nowhere in the Gospels do we ever hear anything Joseph says. Scripture, of course, mentions him by name but does not record even a single word that he uttered. He was a simple man. He did not do astonishing things and likely did not appear particularly special in any way to the people who met him. However, in his simplicity he accomplished extraordinary things.
Through his dreams, God called Joseph to difficult things. Scriptures recount four of those dreams. After each one, Joseph said “yes” to the will of God. He sacrificed his own plans and took the risk of trusting completely in God.
God had a particular plan for Joseph as protector and provider for Mary and Jesus. We also are put on this earth for a reason. We are loved and wanted by God, and God gives us each a duty in building up God’s family on earth.
We carry out our mission just as Joseph did – by serving Jesus in the ordinary work of our everyday lives. God has a very long history of accomplishing great things through the lowly and humble, through ordinary women and men who live their lives with love and faithfulness.
Wherever we are, is where God calls us to serve – to be witnesses to the love of God and the truth of the Gospel. Mother Teresa famously said: “Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you.” Who are the people near you that God is calling you to serve? Who near you needs to hear the good news of God’s love and mercy for them?
As we proceed through Lent, may we be guided by St. Joseph to open our hearts to God, to say “yes” to the will of God, and then to get up and do as the angel of the Lord directs.
-Martha Hagan
Martha is the Vice-Chancellor of the Diocese of Owensboro and the Administrative Assistant to the Bishop.
To learn more about the Diocese of Owensboro’s celebration of the National Eucharistic Revival, visit https://owensborodiocese.org/eucharistic-revival/.
