Through Joseph and Mary to forgiveness in Jesus Christ
From a discourse by Pope Benedict XVI. The silence of Saint Joseph is a silence drawn from his contemplation of the mystery of God, in an attitude of complete availability to the divine will. In other words, Saint Joseph’s silence is not a sign of interior emptiness, but, to the contrary, of the fullness of the faith he carries in his heart, and which guides each of his thoughts and actions. Through this silence, Joseph, together with Mary, keeps the Word of God made known in the Holy Scriptures, while continually setting these Scriptures against the events in Jesus’ life. It is a silence woven with constant prayer, adoration of God’s holy will and total trust in his providence.
Let us allow ourselves to be ‘infected’ by Saint Joseph’s silence! We have such need of it in a world that is often far too noisy, unsupportive of listening in recollection of the voice of God. At this time, as we prepare for Christmas, let us cultivate an interior recollection, that we may welcome and keep Jesus in our lives. [December 17, 2008]
Hymn:
Peace is flowing like a river, flowing out through you and me,
Spreading out into the desert, setting all the captives free.
Love is flowing like a river, flowing out through you and me,
Spreading out into the desert, setting all the captives free.
Joy is flowing like a river, flowing out through you and me,
Spreading out into the desert, setting all the captives free.
Hope is flowing like a river, flowing out through you and me,
Spreading out into the desert, setting all the captives free.
Christ brings peace to all creation, flowing out through you and me,
Love, joy, hope and true salvation, setting all the captives free.
Let us pray. Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ever faithful to your promises and ever close to your Church, the earth rejoices in hope of the Saviour’s coming and looks forward with longing to his return at the end of time. With the help of Saint Joseph, who served your purposes with a holy silence, prepare our hearts, and remove the sadness that hinders us from feeling the joy and hope which his presence will bestow, for he is Lord for ever and ever, Amen.
PSALM 130. Response:
O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor haughty my eyes,
I have not gone after things too great, nor marvels beyond me. R.
Truly I have set my soul in silence and peace;
A weaned child on its mother’s breast, even so is my soul. R.
O Israel hope in the Lord, both now and for ever. R.
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.
Jesus said: “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly, I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.
Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? It will be good for that servants whom the master finds so doing when he returns. Truly, I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions”. This is the Gospel of the Lord. [Luke 12: 35-37, 42-44].
Hymn:
Holy Joseph, Intercessor, to your name God’s children sing;
Be our Patron and Protector, to God’s throne our praises bring.
Faithful Spouse of faithful Virgin, love of God’s purity,
From your worthy place in heaven, pray that we may faithful be.
Guardian of the Word Incarnate, silent guide of God’s own Son,
Guard our hearts and lead us onward to the life that Christ has won.
Humble man in lofty station, on you God has shed his grace,
Pray such grace may lead us upward, to the eternal dwelling place.
Examination of Conscience.
Dear friends, with faith in God’s mercy, and with confidence in Saint Joseph’s prayers, let us lay bare our hearts to the Word, and let it enter us that we may ever be changed by it.
We know Joseph was a man of faith, obedient to whatever God asked of him without knowing the outcome. When the angel came to Joseph in a dream and told him the truth about the child Mary was carrying, Joseph immediately and without question or concern for gossip took Mary as his wife. When the angel came again to tell him that his family was in danger, he immediately left everything he owned, all his family and friends, and fled to a strange country with his young wife and the baby. He waited in Egypt without question until the angel told him it was safe to go back.
Are we grateful for the gift of faith? Do we protect our faith, by prayer, openness to the Scriptures, by receiving the Sacraments, by Christian living? Do we encourage others in their faith, or are we exasperated by those who have doubts or show weaknesses in faith?
Joseph, Spouse of the Mother of God: [all] PRAY FOR US.
Are we open to the coming of the Holy Spirit in our lives? Or do we presume to tell God what he must give us? Do we refuse to accept that God answers us? Do we resort to superstition instead of faith?
Joseph, foster father of the Son of God: PRAY FOR US.
Have we been truthful? Have we spread rumour or gossip, or betrayed secrets? Have we allowed fantasy to take over our lives, including through what we read or see on television?
Joseph, head of the Holy Family: PRAY FOR US.
Do we have a sense of wonder at what God has made? Do we see his hand in creation? Have we respected our fellow humans, or are we guilty of prejudice, based on race, language, belief or age? Have we given in to anger or refused to listen?
Joseph, mirror of patience: PRAY FOR US.
Have we honoured personal relationships, especially between husband and wife? Have we been ready to listen to those who tell us their troubles? Do we have sympathy for those in need, for the frail in mind and body?
Joseph, solace of the wretched: PRAY FOR US.
Have we valued our friends, protecting and persevering in our friendships? Have we sought reconciliation with those from whom we have become estranged?
Joseph, pillar of families: PRAY FOR US.
Have we been over-attached to possessions, or over-addicted to work, or to leisure? Have we lived in a healthy way, or indulged in excess?
Joseph, lover of poverty: PRAY FOR US.
Have we been fearful of what is strange or new, or given to pessimism or despair? Have we been over-nostalgic about the past? Do we express hope for each new day, and thanks when the day is done?
Joseph, terror of demons: PRAY FOR US.
Are we prepared to wait? Are we patient, not least on the roads? Are we grateful to those who serve us? Do we have a sense of obedience to legitimate authority, and a readiness to accept our duties as citizens of our country?
Joseph, protector of Holy Church: PRAY FOR US.
Let us now bow our heads and pray: I confess to Almighty God …
Opportunity for Individual Confession.
Please stand before the priest and, without the usual preamble [“Bless me…” etc.], state the main areas of sinfulness which you have recognised. The priest will receive your confession with gladness and thank you for it, but will not necessarily comment on it. He will give you Absolution. Please then return to your place so that all may share the conclusion of the Liturgy together.
An Act of Contrition [to be said together].
Lord, I am very sorry that I have sinned against you, for you are goodness itself. I wish to flee from sin and to follow your path of truth and life. Strengthen me this day for your service, and help me to be what you want me to be.
Our Father (this constitutes the Penance associated with the Confession made and Absolution given)
Exchange of the Sign of Peace
Hymn:
Put peace into each other’s hands, and like a treasure hold it,
Protect it like a candle-flame; with tenderness enfold it.
Put peace into each other’s hands with loving expectation,
Choose gentle words and gentle ways; thus honour God’s creation.
Put Christ into each other’s hands; he is love’s deepest measure,
To peace add love, to love add joy, and share them like a treasure.
Closing Prayer, Blessing and Dismissal
[said together] Gracious and loving God, you show us mercy and make us a new creation in the image of your Son.
Make us, in imitation of the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph,
living signs of your love to all those we meet as we go forth now from this place where you dwell;
we ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.
May God bless you and keep you, Amen;
may God smile upon you and be gracious to you, Amen;
may God look kindly upon you, and give you peace, Amen. May Almighty God bless you …
Hymn:
Long ago, prophet knew Christ would come, born a Jew.
Come to make all things new;
Bear his People’s burden, freely love and pardon.
Ring, bells, ring, ring, ring! Sing, choirs, sing, sing, sing!
When he comes, when he comes, who will make him welcome?
God in time, God in man, this is God’s timeless plan:
He will come, as a man,
Born himself of woman, God divinely human. Ring …
Mary, hail! Though afraid, she believed, she obeyed,
In her womb God is laid;
Till the time expected, nurtured and protected. Ring …
Journey ends! Where afar Bethlem shines, like a star,
Stable door stands ajar,
Unborn Son of Mary, Saviour, do not tarry!
Ring, bells, ring, ring, ring! Sing, choirs, sing, sing, sing!
Jesus comes! Jesus comes! We will make him welcome!
“I only beg, for the love of God, that anyone who does not believe me will put what I say to the test, and they will see by experience what great advantages come from commending oneself to this glorious patriarch Saint Joseph, and having devotion to him. Those who practise prayer should have a special affection for him always. I do not know how anyone can think of the Queen of the Angels, during the time that she suffered so much with the Child Jesus, without giving thanks to Saint Joseph for the way he helped them. If anyone cannot find a master to teach them how to pray, let them take this glorious saint as their master, and they will not go astray.” [St. Teresa of Avila