Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection March 19, 2025

By CL

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Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection March 19, 2025

R/. The son of David will live for ever.

V/. Glory and praise to you, O Christ.

R/. Glory and praise to you, O Christ.

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

R/. Glory and praise to you, O Christ.

Jacob 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.

Today we celebrate the solemnity of St Joseph. Concretely, two terms or adjectives are alternatively used to describe the character of St Joseph. He was a “just” man or a “righteous” man. In the light of the Bible, to be just and righteous means to be a morally integral person; to be a person of character and values; to be correct and upright in his dealings with others; not to act wrongly toward anyone.

In other words, it means to be blameless and clean before God and also right and benevolent toward others. In biblical terms, it is one who is turned away from evil and one who is ever loyal to God’s statutes and commandments. A just and righteous person is one who obeys the voice of the Lord, walks in His ways, and is intensely merciful and generous toward others.

Joseph was exactly that. He was always docile to the voice of the Lord. That is why as soon as he realized God’s plan in Mary’s virginal conception, he promptly obeyed God’s will and gave up his decision.

And even when Mary’s infidelity was so evident in human sight and thus she deserved to be denounced, yet he respected Mary and safeguarded her honour. He was more concerned for her right to a woman’s dignity and not a husband’s prestige.

How often our justice is so unjust because it bothers only about individual rights and self-interests? How often our righteousness is unrighteous because it is nothing but self-righteousness? How often we may appear to be moral and just in the sight of the world but not really interiorly clean and pure in the sight of God?

Catholic Leaf is website that provides Sundays and Weekdays catholic reflections. Please use catholic leaf as a tool for preparing your Homily.