Today the feast of Joseph, husband of Mary, we suspend our Lenten fast for a little feasting in honor of Saint Joseph. His feast day is a built-in break for us in our Lenten disciplines: Fasting is actually forbidden on Sunday and solemnities (like today), for even in this season of renewal we keep in mind the victory already won in Christ. We Christians can never go more than a week without rejoicing in the resurrection.
And so I pray:
God of wonder,
in the silence of his heart
your servant Joseph heard your voice,
and faithfully trusted your messenger’s word.
Bless us with Joseph’s attentive faith,
that we may prepare a place for your Word-made-flesh,
who comes to us
in the frightened and weary,
the poor and forgotten,
and who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit
God for ever and ever. Amen.
“The son of David will live for ever.” (Ps 89:37)
I adapted today’s mediation for “Daily Prayer 2005.” Published by Liturgy Training Publications