＊＊＊1st Reading＊＊＊

２Samuel 7: 4-5a, 12-14a, 16

But that very night, Yahweh’s word came to Nathan,

“Go and tell my servant David, this is what Yahweh says: Are you able to build a house for me to live in? when the time comes for you to rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your son after you, the one born of you; and I will make his reign secure.

He shall build a house for my name and I will firmly establish his kingship forever. I will be a father to him and he shall be my son. If he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod, as men do. Your house and your reign shall last forever before me, and your throne shall be forever firm.”

 

Ps 89: 2-3, 4-5, 27 & 29

The son of David will live forever.

 

＊＊＊2nd Reading ＊＊＊

Romans 4: 13, 16-18, 22

 If God promised Abraham, or rather his descendants, that the world would belong to him, this was not because of his obeying the Law, but because he was just and a friend of God through faith.

 For that reason, faith is the way and all is given by grace; and the promises of Abraham are fulfilled for all his descendants, not only for his children according to the Law, but also for all the others who have believed.

Abraham is the father of all of us,  as it is written: I will make you father of many nations. He is our father in the eyes of Him who gives life to the dead, and calls into existence what does not yet exist, for this is the God in whom he believed.

 Abraham believed and hoped against all expectation, thus becoming father of many nations, as he had been told: See how many will be your de­scendants. This was taken into account for him to attain righteousness.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

Matthew 1: 16, 18-21, 24a (or Luke 2:41-51a)

Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and from her came Jesus who is called the Christ ­– the Messiah.

 This is how Jesus Christ was born. Mary his mother had been given to Joseph in marriage but before they lived together, she was found to be preg­nant through the Holy Spirit.

Then Joseph, her husband, made plans to divorce her in all secrecy. He was an upright man, and in no way did he want to discredit her.

 While he was pondering over this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She has conceived by the Holy Spirit,   and now she will bear a son. You shall call him ‘Jesus’ for he will save his people from their sins.”

 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do and he took his wife to his home.

 

Gospel Reflection：

In the Scriptures, Joseph is silent. He does not speak a single word. There is minimal reference to him. He is like the many father figures who though mostly silent play a vital role in the family and society. In his silence, Joseph participated in God’s salvific plan with full humility.

It takes great humility to be asked and agree to be a father to someone who is not really your child. In a world where men dominate, Joseph shows a submissive stance to the will of God and remains faithful to Mary, his wife.

As we remember Joseph, let us imitate his silent and humble witnessing. Silence and humility come together in many ways. It takes humility to be silent. How many times that troubles in the world happen simply because people refuse to listen to one another.

During this Lenten Season, let us be silent as we continue to contemplate on the mystery of the passion of the Lord. let us give space for the Lord to speak to us and be docile to His will as in the example of Joseph.