Hello everyone! Heyo! Welcome back to Scattering Flowers with Elise and Miles, a podcast where you read the Daily Gospels and the Saint of the Day.
Let’s get started! Today is Thursday, March 19th, and the Gospel reading is Matthew 16 and 18-21 and 24.
And the scripture to reflect on is Matthew 1, 20.
The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream.
Joseph was a holy man.
He knew God loved him, and he believed in God’s plans.
While Joseph was sleeping, God spoke to Joseph.
In fact, it was in his dreams, usually through an angel, that Joseph received some of the most important information in his life.
As a reminder of this, many people keep a statue of a sleeping Saint Joseph.
Today’s Saint of the Day is Saint Joseph.
He was born in the first century and his death is unknown.
He is the patron saint of fathers and workers.
Although Saint Joseph is one of the most popular saints in the church calendar, we know little about his life.
But we do know the most important thing, his secret of holiness.
Joseph always did what God wanted him to do.
When Joseph was awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.
Sometimes he had to struggle to discern God’s will, but when he received divine guidance, he acted promptly.
Joseph’s mission was to support Mary and Jesus.
As the foster father of Jesus, Joseph brought him up as a devout Jew and taught him the skills of a carpenter and builder.
Joseph loved his family.
He provided for Jesus and Mary through hard work.
His silence helped us to realize the profound interior life he lived.
Pope Francis once explained that when he was worried or stressed, he wrote notes and placed them underneath his sleeping Saint Joseph statue.
He said, that is why I sleep well.
It’s the grace of God.
Tonight, ask Saint Joseph to help you sleep well.
Since he was a carpenter, Joseph knew the importance of a measurement.
If he measured the wood incorrectly, he wouldn’t be able to use it.
So when he heard that Mary was pregnant, Joseph started measuring.
Could his and Mary’s relationship measure up, or should he break off their engagement?
Then an angel appeared to him and told him Mary would be the mother of the Savior of the world.
He said Joseph should become Mary’s husband and Jesus' earthly father.
And Joseph agreed, even though it was going to be difficult.
He knew that God would help him measure up to the job.
Let’s pray.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Dear God, guide me day and night, just like you did Saint Joseph, and help me prepare for any job you have for me.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Thank you so much for listening.
We’ll be back tomorrow, scattering more flowers.
See ya!