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R. (1b) Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Wealth and riches shall be in his house;
his generosity shall endure forever.
Light shines through the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious and merciful and just.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Lavishly he gives to the poor;
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him
and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them;
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets
to win the praise of others.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites,
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners
so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door,
and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to others to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
Those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of salvation.
In response to the continuing global pandemic, when worship is virtual, personal contact is limited, and we're all learning new ways of maintaining relationships, Pope Francis has focused on St. Joseph as a model and guide for us on this journey.
Why Joseph? Because, even though he never speaks in the Scriptures, his role is so significant that no saint aside from Mary, his spouse, is mentioned moreoften in the Church today. Yet he exists in the shadows--much like the frontline workers in our hospitals, grocery stores, post offices, and everywhere that essential personnel are keeping the needs of our daily lives met. This quiet man, who responded to God's voice coming to him in dreams, who fulfilled the role of earthly father to Jesus, is an excellent person to ponder in these troubling days. May these thirty reflections on Pope Francis's words about St. Joseph open our eyes and hearts to this great guide.
In every situation, Joseph declared his own "fiat," like Mary did at the Annunciation and Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane.
How often, do you suppose, have doctors and nurses, physical therapists and home health aides, grocery clerks and postal workers wished they could stay safely at home during the pandemic? How often have our religious leaders wished for a fill-size, in-person congregation? How often have small business and restaurant owners and theater performers wanted this time of dryness to be over? Yet each one has said "yes" to going on through another day, as Joseph did. Pope Francis urges us not to lose heart--in fulfilling his role in salvation history, Joseph shows us the way to take our part as well. So be it. Yes.
PONDER: When have I said "yes" when it was difficult?
PRAY: God of wonder and surprise, fill me with hope and joy so that all can see you through me.