Anglican Mainstream

LENT IV: St. Joseph the Worker and Foster Father of our Lord

LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: In the gospel of Matthew, Joseph is depicted as a good man, a working carpenter, who trusted in God. He received God's messenger who shared with him God's will for him and for Mary, to whom he was engaged to be married. Luke's gospel describes how Joseph took the new-born child as if he were his own. He was with Mary when, on the fortieth day after the birth, Jesus was presented in the Temple, 'where every first-born male is designated as holy to the Lord'. The adoption of Jesus by Joseph also established Jesus in the descent of David, to accord with the prophecy that Israel's deliverer would be of the House and lineage of David.

MEDITATION OF THE DAY:  When you read the Gospel for today, what grabs your attention about this man Joseph? Perhaps you are struck by his compassion because as it was his right to divorce Mary quietly, he did not? Perhaps you are struck by his faithfulness; he gave his word in betrothal and was going to see it through! Some may think he was courageous to proceed with the marriage and risk judgment of his friends and the community of the time?  Of course we should not fail to mention the courage of Mary who was totally obedient to the Spirit of God but suffered threat of loss of family, reputation and even life! If you are able to grasp the power of grace in these two lives in what must have been overwhelming pressures and circumstances, perhaps this could be a day to take heart and listen to the power of the Spirit in your own life and consider how the life and values of Joseph are something we should emulate.

ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE:  “Be humble in this life, that God may raise you up in the next. Be truly moderate and do not punish or condemn anyone immoderately. Be gentle so that you may never oppose justice. Be honorable so that you may never voluntarily bring disgrace upon anyone. Be chaste so that you may avoid all the foulness of lust like the pangs of death.”– St. Stephen of Hungry

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  O God, who from the family of your servant David raised up Joseph to be the guardian of your incarnate Son and the spouse of his virgin mother: Give us grace to imitate his uprightness of life and his obedience to your commands; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen

Lenten Discipline – St. Joseph's Day is a significant Feast for Italians because in the Middle Ages, God, through St. Joseph's intercessions, the Sicilians were spared from a very serious drought. So in his honor, the custom is for all to wear red, in the same way that green is worn on St. Patrick's Day. So today wear Red and share in the special meals of the day all involve special meatless foods: minestrone, pasta with breadcrumbs (the breadcrumbs symbolize the sawdust that would have covered St. Joseph's floor), seafood, and,  fava beans, which are considered "lucky" because during the drought, the fava thrived while other crops failed.

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