Solemnity of St. Joseph - March 19

 2 Samuel 7:4-5,12-14,16        Romans 4:13,16-18,22            Matthew 1:16,18-21,24a

Today’s first reading and the responsorial psalm are both in regard to King David and how God promises his kingdom will last forever. God establishes a personal relationship with David and makes a covenant similar to the one made with Abraham in Genesis. God promises an eternal kingdom for David and that a messianic king would reign forever. This is completed in the New Testament through Jesus.

The second reading is a letter to the Romans from Paul. Paul is explaining that the covenant with Abraham is not a law but rather becomes true through faith. He is saying that all who have the kind of faith Abraham had will be a part of the eternal kingdom. This is opposed to the thought of the time that God’s promises only extended to the Jewish people and those who followed the laws of Moses.

For me, these two readings are connected. I realize through reflecting on this scripture that God is not here to control us. He gives us the choice to follow him; and race, language, or gender does not change who has the opportunity to follow the Lord. God is not a list of rules, but a reason to love others. One can pray every day for hours on end, but if they do not love their neighbor as God loved them, they are failing to follow the most important part of Christianity. I realize that just because I am going to mass and going through the motions, does not mean that loving others is any less important. Truly loving God is loving everyone around you as well.

Q: In what ways do I actively love my neighbor as Jesus showed us?

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