R. (see 1) Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
REFLECTION
. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
St Joseph is the patron of workers, families and the universal Church. His primary role was to be the foster father of Jesus, husband and guardian of Mary. Known as the Terror of Demons as well, this day we honor him. He is the example to follow for persistence in the role God chose for Him.
He was born in Bethlehem, Judea, in the first century. He was descended from King David, therefore fulfilling the prophecy that the Messiah would come from the house of David. He was a carpenter. He was engaged to Mary when he found out she was with child. He was assured in a dream that the child conceived in Mary was of the Holy Spirit. He married her and raised the child Jesus: protected Him in the flight to Egypt, and taught Him.
His feast day coincides with the Communist First of May celebration. He is in direct contrast to what or whom a worker is viewed by communists. He is not just a laborer supporting his family, but he is a human being, created by God. He reflected the glorious work of God and shows us the wonderful life of a worker, through obedience, selflessness and faith in God. As the wonderful life of a father, he gave love, wisdom and support to his family. As a father figure for man to follow, St Joseph has shown us how to listen to God, be just, fair and holy. Not one spoken word is recorded to him, but so much is attributed to St Joseph.
St Joseph, too, loves us beyond our expectations. Pray for his intercession. Pray for his role as a father for our children and the Church. May we follow in His footsteps.
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