Day 3: Legitimate Heir to the Throne of King David
“But Joseph was not glorious solely because the pure blood of the kings of Juda circulated in his veins, since others of the same stock could claim a like honour, but he was specially glorious in being, so to say, the last link of the regal genealogy which through his spouse united him to the King of kings; he closed the line of the ancestors of the great Messias, and beheld under his roof Him who was the Desired of all nations, the end and consummation of the law, born of his race and the Child of his Virgin Spouse.”
– The Life and Glories of Saint Joseph, by Edward Healy Thompson
Our Lenten Effort
Our society hammers into us the mentality that our greatness lies in our bank account, social status, and appearance. The good St. Joseph was of royal blood, but his poverty and humility were his crowning jewels. Our obligation as Christians is also to be poor in spirit. Our Lord tells us being poor in spirit means inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven.
Let us resolve to:
- Pray to St. Joseph for poverty in spirit.
- Pray to St. Joseph for leaders of nations.
- Do our work without seeking honor or reward.
Novena Prayer
O Saint Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the Throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires.
O Saint Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your Heavenly power I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most Loving of Fathers. O Saint Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine Head for me, and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. Saint Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for us.
(Here mention your request)
Saint Joseph, God the Father granted you all the graces and blessings you needed to be His chosen representative on earth.
Desirous of a worthy foster father, God the Son chose you, adding His own riches and gifts, and above all, His love. The true measure of your sanctity is to be judged by your imitation of Jesus. You were entirely consecrated to Jesus, working always near Him, offering Him your virtues, your work, your sufferings, your very life. Jesus lived in you so perfectly that you were transformed into Him. Hence, after Mary, you are the holiest of the saints.
You were chosen by the Holy Spirit. Every vocation and every fulfillment of a vocation proceeds from the Holy Spirit. As foster father of Jesus and head of the Holy Family, you had an exalted and most responsible vocation—to open the way for the redemption of the world and to prepare for it by the education and guidance of Jesus. In this work the Holy Spirit was the guide; you obeyed and carried out the works. How perfectly you obeyed God’s guidance!
Saint Joseph, I thank God for choosing you. Please obtain for me the grace to imitate your virtues so that I too may be pleasing to the Heart of God. Help me to give myself entirely to His service and to the accomplishment of His Holy Will, that one day I may reach heaven and be eternally united to God as you are. Amen.
