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, 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. He believed, hoping against hope, that he would become the father of many nations, according to what was said, "Thus shall your descendants be." That is why it was "credited to him as righteousness."
Gospel ReadingJacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.
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.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
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.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins."
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
or
Luke 2:41-51a
Each year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover,
and when he was twelve years old,
they went up according to festival custom.
After they had completed its days, as they were returning,
the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem,
but his parents did not know it.
Thinking that he was in the caravan,
they journeyed for a day
and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances,
but not finding him,
they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.
After three days they found him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the teachers,
listening to them and asking them questions,
and all who heard him were astounded
at his understanding and his answers.
When his parents saw him,
they were astonished,
and his mother said to him,
"Son, why have you done this to us?
Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety."
And he said to them,
"Why were you looking for me?
Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"
But they did not understand what he said to them.
He went down with them and came to Nazareth,
and was obedient to them.
PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS
Father,
with unselfish love St. Joseph cared for your Son,
born of the Virgin Mary.
May we also serve you at your altar with pure hearts.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do
well always and everywhere to give you thanks
as
we honor Saint Joseph.
He is that just man,
that wise and loyal servant,
whom you placed at the head of your family.
With
a husband’s love he cherished Mary,
the virgin
Mother of God.
With fatherly care he watched
over Jesus Christ your Son,
conceived by the power
of the Holy Spirit.
Through Christ the choirs of angels
and all the
powers of heaven
praise and worship your glory.
May our voices blend with theirs
as we join in their
unending hymn:
Holy, holy, holy:
Communion Antiphon:
Come, good and faithful servant! Share the joy of your Lord! -Matthew 25:21
Prayer after Communion
Lord,
today you nourish us at this altar
as we celebrate the feast of St. Joseph.
Protect your Church always,
and in your love watch over the gifts you have given us.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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