Today's Thoughts...

Today's 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.