Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Daniel, Chapter 3, Verse 40-42

⁴⁰So let our sacrifice be in your presence today and find favor before you; for those who trust in you cannot be put to shame. ⁴¹ And now we follow you with our whole heart, we fear you and we seek your face. Do not put us to shame, ⁴² but deal with us in your kindness and great mercy.

Christ in today’s gospel declares to us that if we are in His presence that a mark of loving Him with our whole heart is the ability to forgive others not just seven times but seventy times seven. For those that cannot forgive they are often angry and anger when acted on destroys both the destroyer and the destroyed.

Our sacrifice should be a heart formed after Christ’s; when we are injured by another we should seek not revenge but seek to understand by praying for the one who has offended us.

Today is nine days before the Feast of St. Joseph. St. Joseph was a man whose heart was present to God thus becoming the foster father of Christ. Today would be a good day to start a Novena of St. Joseph.

NINE-DAYS NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH

(Note: This prayer was found in the 50th year of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Sometime during the 16th century, it was sent by the Pope to Emperor Charles when he was going into battle. It is said that whoever shall read this prayer or take it with them, shall never die a sudden death or be drowned, nor shall poison take effect on them; neither shall they fall into the hands of the enemy, or shall be burned in any fire or shall be overpowered in battle.)

Say this prayer for nine days for anything you may desire. Then let go and let God. Trust that whatever is the outcome of your novena is truly what is best for you in accordance with the will of God.)

O Saint Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires.

O Saint Joseph, assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers.

O Saint Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me, and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. Amen