It is 20th March 2017. We celebrate the feast of St Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As St. Joseph, the protector of the Church, so in faith let us walk confidently in the ways of the Lord. Let us not be too worried about the future. St. Joseph is the intercessor, the protector and the role model for all those who lead families. We too are invited to be just, pure, gentle, prudent and obedient to the plan and will of God. The life of St. Joseph offers us the courage to be faithful in all circumstances of our lives. In the entrance antiphon, we acclaim, “Behold, a faithful and prudent steward, whom the Lord set over his household.” (Lk.12:42). The readings are from 2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16; the second reading is from Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22; and the Gospel from Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24. We reflect in the first reading that God guarantees unfailing support and security to the house of David. The responsorial Psalm prays, “The son of David will live for ever.” (Ps.89:37). The second reading reassures us our connection with God comes through faith and the privilege of being the children of Abraham as that of St. Joseph. The Gospel recounts the vision of St. Joseph and the unquestionable cooperation with God’s plan in protecting and providing for Mary and Jesus all through his life time. God reveals God’s plan and will through ordinary events of our lives. God expects us to cooperate with Him to enjoy the blessings of God. To cooperate with God, we need to be in touch with our silent voices of the Holy Spirit in the inner chambers of our existence and to be committed responsibly through our physical and spiritual sacrifices for our personal purifications and the welfare of the entire humanity. God could trust Joseph so much so to entrust the Mother of God and the Son of God in his paternal custody in the world. Let us entrust all our families in the protective care of St. Joseph, who is the patron for family life. The impressions and image of St. Joseph needs to be engraved in all the encounters and deliberations of our families. May St. Joseph intercede for us all and may we emulate the rich virtues of this great saint in our daily lives. May you all have a peaceful day.