Fountain of Mercy

"Lord God, fountain of all mercy, look upon our gifts on this feast of St. Joseph. Let our sacrifice become the protection of all who call on you…." (Offertory Prayer on the feast of St. Joseph the Worker)

God our Father is the fountain of all mercy. O that I would remember this at the moment of need.

The gifts we bring up to the altar, bread and wine, fruits of our labor represent our sacrifice. We join this with the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ and ask the Father and fountain of all mercy for our protection from evil and all who call upon Him.

Staying in the word

"If you stay in my word, you will indeed be my disciples, and you will know the truth." (John 8: 31)

The truth here is a person, Jesus Christ Himself. Essential to knowing Him is a relationship that develops through daily communion with His word.

St. Jerome says: "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Jesus Christ."

Jerusalem and the Church

1

¹ A psalm of the Korahites. A song. The LORD loves the city founded on holy mountains,

2

² Loves the gates of Zion more than any dwelling in Jacob.

3

Glorious things are said of you, O city of God! Selah

4

From Babylon and Egypt I count those who acknowledge the LORD. Philistia, Ethiopia, Tyre, of them it can be said: "This one was born there."

5

³ But of Zion it must be said: "They all were born here." The Most High confirms this;

6

the Lord notes in the register of the peoples: "This one was born here." Selah

7

So all sing in their festive dance: "Within you is my true home."

 

Psalm-Prayer:

Lord God, your only Son wept over ancient Jerusalem, soon to be destroyed for its lack of faith. He established the new Jerusalem firmly upon rock and made it the mother of the faithful. Make us rejoice in your Church, and grant that all people may be reborn into the freedom of your Spirit. (Lectio Divina 01/29/09)

The Carpenter’s Son

"This is the carpenter's son, surely? Is not his mother the woman called Mary, and his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Jude?" (Matthew 13: 55)

The people of Nazareth where Jesus grew up saw Him only as the carpenter's son and the son of Mary. But things are not always what they seem. His words and miracles are opportunities for them to probe deeper into the person of Jesus. They did not. Their minds were closed.

Be fruitful

"Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and subdue it." (Genesis 1: 28)

"Be fruitful" means be productive.

The Holy Spirit is the principle and source of fruitfulness. The Holy Spirit helps us abide in Christ as the branch abides in the tree.

St. Joseph the Worker

"God our Father, creator and ruler of the universe, in every age you call man to develop and use his gifts for the good of others. With Joseph as our example and guide, help us to do the work you have asked and come to the rewards you have promised….." (Prayer on the feast of St. Joseph the Worker May 1^st)

Help me to develop my talents, Lord. Lead and guide me to work you have called me to do.

St. Joseph pray for me.