Tag Archives: Jospeh

Such are the plans of men

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“Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David,” (Jer 23:5) And indeed those days are upon us. Today our gospel is the story of the angel’s message to Joseph as he ponders what to do now that he knows Mary “was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph…since he was a righteous man, [was] unwilling to expose her to shame, [and so] decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream.” (Mt 1:18-20) It was not the way he hoped to start their life together. Continue reading →

It’s complicated

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When I was younger, I didn’t mind complicated and messy – especially things that were puzzles to explore, solve, or unravel. I enjoyed things that provided creative moments in which new, imaginative solutions might emerge. But alas, I am no longer as young as I once was. I feel a part within me that longs for quiet, uncomplicated, resolved, still interesting, but not so messy and complicated as before. Continue reading →

A matter of perspective

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In today’s first reading we again hear the story of Joseph, son of Jacob, and how he ended up in Egypt. You know the story: to his brothers Joseph seems the “favorite son.” Joseph garners special attention and gifts from his father. The brothers did not like Joseph for reasons that were left out of today’s readings: (a) he used to report the misdeeds and failings of his brothers to Jacob, and (b) he told his brothers about a dream where he would rule over them all. All-in-all, Joseph was hated by his brothers; verse 5 of the scripture, not included in the reading, uses the word “hate.” Continue reading →

Striving for Righteousness

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Today, our “O Antiphon,” our expression of desire and longing is this:

O Adonai, O Lord of the House of Israel
Giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai
Come to rescue us with your mighty power

In its own way, if Sunday December 26 2021 is Holy Family Sunday, then perhaps this weekend is “Holy Couples Weekend.” Our gospel for tomorrow is about Mary, a mother’s story, as we see her set out to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Today our gospel is the Father’s story – the narrative of the angel’s message to Joseph as he ponders what to do now that he knows Mary “was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph…since he was a righteous man, [was] unwilling to expose her to shame, [and so] decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream.” (Mt 1:18-20) It was not the way he hoped to start their life together. Continue reading →