SOLEMNITY OF ST JOSEPH Lectionary #543

Matthew's Gospel portrays Joseph as a man of deep faith, open to the mystical interpretation of dreams, marked by great compassion, dedicated to God's will. An observant Jew, a distant relative of King David, he worked as a tekton —someone involved in the building trades. Legend says that Mary and Jesus were with Joseph when he died in Nazareth in the early years of the first century. The readings for today fit in well with the notion of the fulfillment of divine promise that runs through the Sundays of Lent.

2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16. The prophecy of Nathan to David is chosen because of the claim that Jesus and, according to Matthew, his presumed father, Joseph, were members of the family of David.

Psalm of the Day: Ps (88) 89

The psalm weaves together several styles of poetry: lament, hymn, oracle. Today's excerpts focus on the oracle form, echoing the prophecy of the first reading.

Cantaré Eternamente (Martínez) FYC 228

Cantaré Eternamente/Forever I Will Sing (Reza) FYC 229/JS 64

For Ever I Will Sing (Alstott) JS 63

For Ever I Will Sing (Guimont) RS 117

For Ever I Will Sing (Haugen) GC 82/G2 76/RS 118

Forever I Will Sing (Ridge) GP 226

Forever I Will Sing (Schoenbachler) GP 227

I Will Sing Forever (Alexander) WC 932

The Son of David Will Live Forever (Currie) RS 119/WOR1027

Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22. Describing the key role of faith, Paul evokes the image of Abraham in words that Christians also apply to Joseph: “He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed . . . He believed, hoping against hope . . .”

Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a. Joseph receives his mission through a dream about an angel.

Alternative: Luke 2:41-51a. Joseph and Mary find Jesus in the Temple .

Songs for the Liturgy

Amazing Grace WOR 583/CH 447/PMB 167/WC 383/CBW673/MI-BB/GP 14/LMGM 173/G2 434/GC 612/JS 460

Be Not Afraid G2 430/GC 608/GP 602/JS 579/RS 734/WC 978

By All Your Saints Still Striving RS 887/WOR706/WC 592

Canticle of Simeon GP 439/JS 234/WC 269

Come Now, and Praise the Humble Saint GP 440/RS 875/WOR694

Come, Sing a Home and Family WC 600

Glorioso San José FYC 474

Holy Patron, Thee Saluting JS 258

Joseph, Be Our Guide and Pattern WOR693

Lord, Bid Your Servant Go in Peace CH 439/RS 874/WOR691

Now Let Your Servant Go G2 562/GC 776

O Blessed Saint Joseph CH 341

O Joseph, Mighty Patron WC 597

St. Joseph , Great Protector JS 257

Saint Joseph Was a Just Man WC 598

Saint Joseph Was a Quiet Man CH 342

The Hands That First Held Mary's Child WC 599

Those Who Love and Those Who Labor CH 481/RS 805/WOR632

Those Who Seek Your Face (first set of verses) GP 447