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,
 Below, you'll find a special reflection for today, the Solemnity of St. Joseph, March 19, by Jeannine Gramick, SL from Pax Christi USA's Lenten reflection booklet from 2001. St. Joseph has always held a special place in my faith life -- my middle name is Joseph and I chose it as my confirmation name too; and later, as a father, and reflecting on the joy and pain of raising children, I have found myself appealing to St. Joseph and wondering about his life with his son. In reading today's reflection, I was drawn by the virtues Sr. Jeannine attributes to him and how much our world hungers for those very same virtues.
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REFLECTION FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF ST. JOSEPH
By Jeannine Gramick, SL
2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16 | Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22 | Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a
Scripture tells us that Joseph, husband of Mary and earthly father of Jesus, was an "upright man." He was a responsible man. To him was entrusted the care of Mary and Jesus in their sojourn in Bethlehem, their flight into Egypt, and their residence in Nazareth.
Joseph was an honest person. He earned his livelihood by carpentry. He was loyal, trustworthy and just. We can assume, as an honorable Jew, that Joseph faithfully followed the law of Moses.
When Joseph discovered that Mary was pregnant during their engagement but before they lived together, he was "unwilling to expose her to the law." He decided to divorce her quietly. Although a dedicated follower of the law, apparently Joseph was not rigid, dogmatic or absolute in his adherence to it. Law, he realized, must be tempered with kindness, interpreted with love, and superseded by a higher law when necessary....
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