Opening Prayer
Joseph, you seem to have gotten lost in our scripture and tradition. You are the one through whom Jesus is named Son of David, son of ancient promises. You are the one who taught Jesus about “Abba – Dad” so that his human heart could know his true Father and God. In you Jesus experienced the tender compassion and strong justice of God. You wrestled with the suspicions of your heart and fear of betrayal. Thank you for listening to dreams and responding to the voice of God. Thank you for all the ways you taught Jesus about being human and about being a man of faith, focused on the heart of the covenant. Thank you for teaching him to have the heart of God, stepping over fear, suspicion, and cynicism born of betrayal – to be a man for others and to be most sensitive to the poor. In Jesus, you teach us so much, Joseph, Just Man, Father and Friend. Like Jesus, in you we know God as “Abba”, tender and just Dad. As a holy man, help men today to be strong in faith, passionate for justice, vulnerable in intimacy, and tender with compassion.
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