Joseph, a Man in the Shadows

 

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

 

OPENING PRAYER

Dearest St Joseph,
as you were father to Jesus,
God’s only begotten son,
may we always seek your guidance
as adopted children of God.

 

SCRIPTURE

Read from the Gospel of Luke 2:41-52 – ‘

“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”’

There may be times when it seems that we are unimportant, that we are in the shadows. But we can be sure that, like Joseph, a man in the shadows, God has a task for us alone, to bring the light of Christ into the world.

 

PATRIS CORDE

In a way, we are all like Joseph: a shadow of the heavenly Father, who “makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Mt 5:45). And a shadow that follows his Son.

 

CLOSING PRAYER

St Joseph always stands aside and points us to God and to God’s Son. Let him stand beside you, in the shadows, as you speak to Jesus of whatever is in your heart.

Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

To you God entrusted his only Son; in you Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man. Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen.

 

ACTIVITY

Look back over this Novena. Has any person, any need, remained in the shadows? How can you bring them into God’s light – through prayer, a phone call, or some other way?