Fifth Week of Lent
19th March 2024 (Tuesday)
Solemnity of Saint Joseph
Psalter: Proper
Reading of the Day
| First Reading | 2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16 |
| Response | His descendants shall continue forever. |
| Second Reading | Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22 |
| Gospel | Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a |
First Reading
2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16
In those days: The word of the Lord came to Nathan, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me. Your throne shall be established for ever.”
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29 (R. 37a)
R/. His descendants shall continue forever.
I will sing forever of your mercies, O Lord;
through all ages my mouth will proclaim your fidelity.
I have declared your mercy is established forever
your fidelity stands firm as the heavens. R/.
“With my chosen one I have made a covenant;
I have sworn to David my servant:
I will establish your descendants forever,
and set up your throne through all ages.” R/.
He will call out to me, ‘You are my father,
my God, the rock of my salvation.
I will keep my faithful love for him always;
with him my covenant shall last. R/.
Second Reading
Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22
Brethren: The promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world, did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring- not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations” in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness”.
Verse Before The Gospel
Psalm 84:5
V/. Glory and praise to you, O Christ
R/. Glory and praise to you, O Christ
V/. Blessed are they who dwell in your house, O Lord, forever singing your praise.
R/.Glory and praise to you, O Christ.
Gospel
Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a
Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.
(OR)
Luke 2:41-51a
Now Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them.
