In our gospel today, Matthew 1:18-25, Joseph learns that his betrothed Mary was “with child”, before they lived together. By law, he could have had her stoned to death, but he had mercy and wanted to divorce her quietly. This was before he knew this pregnancy was by the Holy Spirit, and it showed his true love for God and for Mary.
Joseph didn’t allow his pride, the public shame, or anything cause him to do what was morally wrong, even if he was legally entitled to do it. If he had Mary stoned, he would have not only taken Mary’s life, but he would have taken Jesus’ life also.
As I think about our world today, we also have a practice where it is legal to have someone killed.
If people today had the love and mercy of Joseph, this practice would be as unconscionable to them, as having Mary and Jesus killed was to Joseph back then. That practice is abortion.
In this new liturgical year that Pope Francis has dedicated to Saint Joseph, let us let him be our model for love and mercy. Let us look beyond what is legal, and use a higher standard, like Joseph, showing love and mercy.
De Colores, Deacon Kevin
Join us in prayer!
We encourage you to join us as we recite the Holy Rosary every night at 8PM! On Wednesdays, we pray the rosary via Zoom with the rector and rectora.
Resources for those not able to attend Mass
Daily Readings in English and Spanish from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:
Prayers, readings for Mass, and additional spiritual readings are available at:
“Give Us This Day” a digital file of their periodical, which includes daily Mass texts. Visit GUTD.net and select “Digital” in the upper right of the screen.
