Misa De Gallo - Day 3

Sunday is family day.  And, since our sister can't come over my parents' house, we brought family day to her with the intent of going to Sunday Mass in the evening. It turned out that some of the evening Sunday Mass schedules got cancelled to give way to Simbang Gabi (the anticipated Mass version of Misa De Gallo).  Thus, while attending Mass with the family, we had Day 3 covered already.  Yey!

Matthew 1:18-25

18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. 20 Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your  home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.21 She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” 24 When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. 25 He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus.

It was a blessing that we were able to attend Mass at the St. Benedict Church in Sta. Rosa.  The priest gave very good insights on St. Joseph and what he was like, based on the very few verses written about him in Scriptures.  St. Joseph was:

• A man of few words. He had not said any Bible quotable quotes, not even when he and Mama Mary found Jesus at the temple after days of looking for him.  It was Mary who mildly admonished Jesus.  BUT he was ...
• A man of faith IN action.  He acted upon all of God's bidding immediately and without question.
• A man of meditation and reflection.  He is, I just found out from the priest, also the patron of sleepyheads and dreamers.  In the middle of chuckling, I realized, that would be most apt --- because that's all he did in the Bible:  receive instructions in dreams.  But, if we look at it more closely, this means that he gives time for quiet meditation and reflection which enables him to "listen" to and receive God's message.
• A hardworking and meticulous man.  Jesus was known as the Carpenter's son, so St. Joseph must have been quite notable in his trade.  And, if we go deeper into one of Jesus' famous lines: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." - we will see the influences of St. Joseph.  A yoke, in order to be easy, needs to fit the animal's body structure perfectly and smoothened out; else, it will cause bruising or wound the animal. 

• A good father. While Jesus is the Son of God, He is also the son of Joseph, the Carpenter.  In choosing Joseph to be Jesus' earthly father, we see God's wisdom.  Joseph's principles, values and living example helped form Jesus, in His critical years of growing up, to be a good man.