Matthew 1,16.18-21.24a

March 20, 2023 (Monday)
Let us all remember that we are in the Holy Presence of God.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Matthew 1,16.18-21.24a
Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. Now
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. Joseph her husband, since he
was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. 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. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his
people from their sins.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.

Reflection:
St. De La Salle in his meditation for the Feast of St. Joseph touches on three important Qualities attributed to St. Joseph: Holiness, Obedience to God’s orders, and the Responsible foster father for Jesus, the Son of God. God bestowed Joseph with special graces as he was to be the foster father of the Son of God, just as God bestowed Mary with special graces, especially being immaculate from time of her conception. Joseph’s obedience to God’s order was immediate, without expression of any doubt, and exemplary. While accepting Mary with the child in her womb before they came together, running into Egypt to escape the murderous wrath of Herod, and returning to Nazareth from Egypt, Joseph acted totally on the advice received from God without any questioning on the feasibility of following God’s orders. Though the Gospels do not provide any indication of Joseph having lived or outlived the public ministry, passion and death of Jesus, he carried out his duty as the faithful foster father of Jesus: Accompanying the child Jesus and the mother for Presentation in the Temple, and spending three anxious days with Mary searching for Jesus. It was only Mary who spoke of the three days of anxiety both she and Joseph had gone through over the loss of Jesus. Joseph fully understood his role in the salvific plan of God for the humanity. He expressed his consent by acting on the advice provided, rather than discussing any details. St. De La Salle exclaims,” How admirable is the prompt and simple obedience on the part of this great saint? He did not delay a single moment in the execution of God’s orders.” (Med No 110/02). He was the most obedient and submissive man of God, after Jesus and Mary. “You ought to have as great a care and affection for the children entrusted to you, in order to preserve or re-establish their innocence and to guard them from whatever may
interfere with their education and prevent them acquiring piety, as St. Joseph had for the welfare of the child Jesus…. (DLS MED 110/03).

Lasallian Guiding Principle:
LGP states that, “Lasallian institutions must strive to develop among its members greater recognition of the realities of human suffering and the stewardship role that each share in preserving the integrity of God’s creation and creating a humane and just society.” As stated as one of the Lasallian core values, we must cherish our relationship with God. No matter in what hardship we are in, we must be aware of his presence
and remind ourselves that God will not forsake us. As he stayed beside Joseph and St. John Baptist De La Salle’s journey, he too will be at our side. In times of confusion and pain, we must then again remind ourselves that God is truly loving and caring and that everything he has set for us is truly for our growth.

Prayer:
Synod on Synodality Prayer

We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us, Make Yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right.
All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen.

St. John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us.

St. Miguel Febres Cordero, pray for us.
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sources:
C. (n.d.). Daily Gospel. Retrieved June 22, 2020, from https://dailygospel.org/M/AM/DLSU ITS, DLSU STRATCOM, DLSU IRPA. (n.d.). Guiding Principles of the Philippine Lasallian Family.
Retrieved June 22, 2020, from http://www.dlsu.edu.ph/inside/lasallian-guiding-principles/default.asp

Prepared by Pratik, Sati D., College of Humanities and Sciences- BS Biochemistry Student, through the DLSMHSI Lasallian Mission and Linkages and Advancement, Campus Ministry, and Chaplaincy

Our Daily Lasallian Gospel, Prayer and Reflection is a DLSMHSI gift to the Lasallian family for the 2019 Celebration of the Year of Vocation and the Tercentenary celebration of the death of our founder SJBDLS.
.
https://www.dlshsi.edu.ph/daily-lasallian-reflection-prayer #300LaSalle