Daily Gospel Reflection for March 20, 2023 Solemnity of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Reflection by Fr. Edward Looney

Today's Gospel: Matthew 1: 16, 18-21, 24a

As a person who prays, you must know and believe that God speaks to you. And as God speaks, it is up to us to listen and respond to however God is leading us. God speaks to us in many different ways. Sometimes when I’m praying before the Blessed Sacrament, an inspired word or thought will come, which I know the Lord gave me. He also speaks to us through spiritual reading, speakers, or people with whom we speak. When God speaks, we listen and then take action.

St. Joseph was a person who listened. It is often quipped that St. Joseph never spoke in the Gospels. Perhaps this silence is a reminder to us that he listened—listened to Mary and Jesus. St. Joseph also was a dreamer. As the Gospel for today relates, the angel told Joseph not to be afraid to take Mary into his home. In another dream, the angel instructed Joseph to take Mary and the Christ child to Egypt. In both these instances, St. Joseph did what he was told to do. He took Mary into his home and he fled into Egypt. St. Joseph could have easily dismissed these messages because they came to him in a dream. But he had confidence that these were messages sent to him from God. He listened to the messenger of God and then he acted accordingly.

Perhaps God is speaking to us through the story of St. Joseph and the angel’s message to him. As we listen to the angel, maybe we need to listen to the message of not being afraid or we need to take Mary into our spiritual home. Today, look to St. Joseph and learn from him how to listen.

Ponder:

In the past week, what message has God communicated to you?

Pray:

Dear St. Joseph, pray for me, that I might listen like you, that I might love whom you loved, and do what God asks.

Click to tweet:
St. Joseph was a listener. He listened to God's messenger, to his immaculate spouse,  Mary, and to the son of God. From him, we can learn how to spiritually listen. #DailyGospel

Copyright 2023 Fr. Edward Looney

Fr. Edward Looney is a priest of the Diocese of Green Bay, president of the Mariological Society of America, author of several books, and host of the podcast How They Love Mary.