jesus – Page 10 – onewhoponders

Pondering for Saturday, September 20, 2025

Daily Office Readings or Saturday of Proper 19: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 75 and 76; Evening, Psalms 23 and 27;
2^nd Kings 2:1 to 18; 1^st Corinthians 4:1 to 7; Matthew 5:17 to 20:

“Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.’ But Elisha said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you:” (2^nd Kings 2:1 and 2).

The need for every person to latch on to a good mentor cannot be overstated. We follow people in trades to learn how to earn a living. We follow people in professions to learn how to be doctors and lawyers and such. It is the natural course of the humanity to find and follow someone who has the skills or knowledge that we want, and to stick with them no matter what; at least until we are able to perform the same on our own.

We stick with them until we are self-sufficient in the area of concern wherein we too should welcome the company of an apprentice. Whether its mentor and protégé; or master and apprentice; the point is that we need to work with those who are right-minded and decent in their relations with others. Elisha found in Elijah the power of the Spirit of God and would not leave him.

We too, as followers of our Lord Jesus, must look for the Jesus quality in those we admire. Personally, I am not going to dedicate myself to the service of someone who has the skills that I want if the gifted person is rude, unloving, and self-serving. I don’t want the skills that bad. Trying to work with someone whose antisocial behavior is less than what it should be, with the idea that we will just copy the good parts of the person, doesn’t work. We will begin to copy the undesirable parts as well, also, we mislead the mentor in thinking he or she is ok. No, it would be better to just not get involved in any capacity.

There are plenty of good believing people in every endeavor we want to pursue. Also, today, we can start in one field of study with one good mentor, and also follow another good mentor in a little different field of study or skill. The key, at least for me, is to make sure my leaders, my mentors, my masters, are good, loving and faithful people. This is the kind of person I strive to be every day.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light:” (Matthew 11:28-30). Our Lord Jesus was, and is, the perfect mentor master, leader and teacher. He did, and continues to do, all his teaching through love for us. Let us do the same and for the same reasons.

Today we remember John Coleridge Patteson, Bishop of Melanesia, and his companions, Martyrs (September 20, 1871) and his information may be found at: John Coleridge Patteson.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: (BCP p. 824)

O Eternal God, bless all schools, colleges, and universities and especially our mentors, that they may be lively centers for sound learning, new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom; and grant that those who teach and those who learn may find you to be the source of all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pondering for Friday, September 19, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Friday of Proper 19: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 69:1-23(24-30)31-38; Evening, Psalm 73;
2^nd Kings 1:2 to 17; 1^st Corinthians 3:16 to 23; Matthew 5:11 to 16:

“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14 to 16)

Light is a tricky thing. It can be tainted. It can project a darkness in spite of being light. In our proposed morning Psalm for today, Psalm 69, we have the option of not saying verses 24 through 30 in the Book of Common Prayer. These verses carry with it a desire for God to wreak havoc on those we deem evil or mean. I say, God knows the whole story, therefore let God do what God will do.

Our Lord Jesus says we who follow Him are the light, or lights, of the world. Douglas R. A. Hare, writing for Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching: Matthew; argues that the “Your” is plural and that we, collectively as Church, must be such a light. There may be something to that but I believe our individual light must start within our individual selves. And, it is when our individual light is joined with other, inclusive, all-loving lights, that we, the Church, bring the whole world into the Light of Christ. There can be no shades, bushel baskets or “recommended omissions” in it.

I am reminded of the Negro Spiritual, “This Little Light of Mine,” as arranged by Horace Boyer and published in the Hymnal “Lift Every Voice and Sing II,” (1993).

“This Little Light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.” Yes it starts with our individual selves. Prayerfully, as young ones, parents, teachers, preachers and such, will plant in us a loving response to the world. The next verse says, “Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine.” This applies from going next door, going to school or Church, or work or store, or around the world. We must let our little lights shine. The last verse says, “Jesus gave it to me, I’m gonna let it shine.” I say, Thank You Lord Jesus.

“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done” (Genesis 2:1 and 2). So, for this evening and tomorrow day my friends, Shabbat Shalom.

What is Shabbat? Intro to the Jewish Sabbath – YouTube

Today we remember Theodore of Tarsus, Archbishop of Canterbury (September 19, 690) and his information may be found at:Theodore of Tarsus

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray:

O Almighty God, You are the ever-glowing light that brings our day into being and the little pilot light that burns in our hearts. Help us we pray to illumine the places we travel every day and to share Your light of love to all whom we meet, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Pondering for Thursday, September 18, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 19: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 71; Evening, Psalm 74:
1^st Kings 22:29 to 45; 1^st Corinthians 2:14 to 3:15; Matthew 5:1 to 10:

“Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are discerned spiritually. Those who are spiritual discern all things, and they are themselves subject to no one else’s scrutiny.” (1^st Corinthians 2:14 and 15)

I continue today in the spiritual sphere. I have heard it said that we are spiritual beings learning to be human, not human beings learning to be spiritual. I can’t remember who said it, but it sounds right.

Paul says that he built on a foundation begun in Christ that others also must build on. Personally, I don’t believe he is the only one. We have other foundation builders who have built on it as well. There is Peter, James, Mary Magdalene and of course Christ himself. The second part of Paul’s verse bears this out, “Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ:” (1^st Corinthians 3:10 and 11).

My beloved of the Lord, let us not be afraid to let go and let God. You don’t have to have answers, just wonder and adoration. “It is not the task of Christianity to provide easy answers to every question, but to make us progressively aware of a mystery. God is not so much the object of our knowledge as the cause of our wonder.” (Kallistos Ware)

Being spiritual is not foolishness. It is a discerning gift from God for all who wish to have it. It is like mysticism. The great mystic Evelyn Underhill speaks of the availability of mysticism. “Evelyn Underhill’s most valuable contribution to spiritual literature must surely be her conviction that the mystical life is not only open to a saintly few, but to anyone who cares to nurture it and weave it into everyday experience,” (Great Cloud of Witnesses for June 15)

God is Spirit according to the Gospel accounts of John (4:24). And all who want to worship God must do so in spirit and truth. You, who are reading this blog, are a spiritual child of God. Live spiritually and discern all things, and be subject to no one’s scrutiny. For me, this is pondering. Thank You Lord Jesus.

Today we remember Edward Bouverie Pusey, Priest and Renewer of the Church (September 17, 1882) and his information may be found at:Edward Bouverie Pusey.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: (I Pray again what I prayed yesterday)

Come Holy Spirit, lead us and guide us in ways that are pleasing to You and nurturing to our neighbors. Work in us that which is good for our environment and our health, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pondering for Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Proper 19: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 72; Evening, Psalm 119:73 to 96;
1^st Kings 22:1 to 28; 1^st Corinthians 2:1 to 13; Matthew 4:18 to 25:

“My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God:” (1^st Corinthians 2, 4 and 5).

This is so true. Our faith must not be based on what limited scientific or geological things we can prove. God’s presence in our lives is so much more than human understanding. There is a different kind of wisdom in what God is doing within us. Paul continues, “Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to perish. But we speak God’s wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory:” (1^st Corinthians 2: 6 and 7). This kind of secret knowledge is what the Gnostics of old preached in their faith tradition – that is, that only a few who God chose had this secret knowledge.

This theology is not accepted by most mainline Christian traditions. However, anyone, and everyone, who chooses to listen to the Holy Spirit of God will receive this hidden and secret spiritual knowledge. This hidden and secret spiritual knowledge is what Paul calls “These things.”

Paul says that “These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God:” (1^st Corinthians 2:10). I think every now and then Paul records the absolute truth, and it is directly from God. I am not a big Paul fan. But my ear has been trained to know the divine truth when I hear it.

Paul ends this passage with the idea that spirituality seeks out spirituality. He says, “And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual:” (1^st Corinthians 2: 13) After the coming of the Holy Spirit on what the Church calls the Day of Pentecost, every human being may open him or herself to the Holy Spirit. We can, and should, listen to what the Spirit is saying to us.

Today we remember Hildegard of Bingen, Visionary (September 17, 1179) and her information may be found at: Hildegard of Bingen

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray:

Come Holy Spirit, lead us and guide us in ways that are pleasing to God and nurturing to our neighbors. Work in us that which is good for our environment and our health through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pondering for Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 19: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 61 and 62; Evening, Psalm 68;
1^st Kings 21:17 to 29; 1^st Corinthians 1:20 to 31; Matthew 4:12 to 17:

“Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth:” (1^st Corinthians 1:26).

Wow! Paul has nailed me. I am all three. I am not wise by human standards. I am certainly not powerful. And, as an African American, a descendent of American slaves, I am not of noble birth. I am the trifecta, or maybe the humble Trinitarian characteristic of those who are truly called.

I failed second and fourth grade by a teacher whom I found out later did not like my mother. In the meantime I was left with a huge inferiority complex that I had to overcome. I considered myself a failure. Yet, here I am, doing the Lord’s work. Thank You Lord Jesus.

I truly do feel called to my ministry. So many things happened to me just prior to my retirement from the Marine Corps. I was less than two years on station in Yuma, Arizona when I was ordered back to Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, North Carolina. And, even then, with less than two years left before reaching thirty years active duty and mandatory retirement, I was allowed to continue my service and retire. Yet, as I was back in my old hometown of Havelock, I was able to again attend my home parish of St Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Havelock, North Carolina. The Rector at that time asked me to consider if God has a calling on my life. God did. And here I am. Again, Thank You Lord Jesus.

You too must not look at your intellect, or race or ethnicity, or anything of high, or low, “human” value. God doesn’t care about any of that. We can’t “figure out” God. If you have truly emptied yourself of all human standards of achievement, which may tend to give you an inferiority complex, then your empty cup or bowl is prepared to be filled by God. One more time, Thank You Lord Jesus.

Today we remember Ninian of Galloway, Bishop and Missionary to Scotland and his information may be found at: Ninian of Galloway

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: A Prayer of Self-Dedication (BCP p. 832)

Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to thee, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly thine, utterly dedicated unto thee; and then use us, we pray thee, as thou wilt, and always to thy glory and the welfare of thy people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Pondering for Monday, September 15, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 19: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 56 and 57; Evening, Psalms 64 and 65:
1^st Kings 21:1to 16; 1 Corinthians 1:1 to 19; Matthew 4:1 to 11:

“It Is Written,” (Matthew 4:1 to 11)

Jesus uses the term, “It is written,” as human actions three times. Now the devil in this writing tries to use Jesus’ anchor of “It is written” against Him. But he uses it in a way that talks about what God will do, that is, to have angels save Him. But Jesus uses the, “It is written” statement, written by humans, for humans, as a human response to show, we feed on the word of God; we are not to test God; and that we are to worship God, and God only.

These three statements of what is written is the anchor not only for our Lord Jesus while He was in His humanity, but for us also. The Word of God is food for our souls. The Word of God sustains us, not only in this world, but for all eternity. In no way should we attempt to test God based on some twist of scripture; being mindful that some interpreters will try to lead us astray. When this misleading attempt occurs it is usually for some partisan, exclusive and/or divisive policy. Beware. And lastly and most importantly, we must remember that God is love. We are to worship God and God only. We are brought into being through the love of God specifically to love each other and to give love back to God in gratitude.

So here we go: feed on God’s words of love and inclusion; trust in God, don’t test God; and pray to God, and worship God, both, when alone and when gathered. Let these written words be our anchor in life. It worked for our Lord Jesus and it works for us today.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray:

O Holy God, Creator and Lover of all souls, assist our hearts and minds in discerning Your love as we read the written word handed down to us from those You have instructed in our past. Help us to obey Your Holy Commandments of love and devotion to You, and to care for our communities as shown to us by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as it is written. Amen.

Pondering for Sunday, September 14, 2025

The Gospel Eucharistic Reading for Sunday of Proper 19: Year C

Luke 15:1-10

“Just so, I tell you, there is joy over finding what was lost.” (Luke 15)

I call Chapter 15 of Luke the “Lost Chapter.” Not because it is missing but because it is about the lost. We have the lost sheep, then the lost coin and then it concludes with the lost son.

Perhaps the most popular way to look at this reading from Luke today is from the perspective of heaven. Heaven celebrates when we repent and rejoin the Ways of God. But we may also look at what it means from our personal point of view.

This chapter also teaches us that sometimes we don’t appreciate and celebrate what we have while we have it. But boy, let it get lost! Whether it’s a sheep, a coin, our glasses, our keys, our job, our money, or even a human relationship, what we have lost is felt deeply and we want it back. What is being celebrated in this Luke reading is the getting back to wholeness. It is celebrating the experience of not having lost anything in the first place. It is celebrating “the way it was.” How about when we first rise from sleep and see that we have our glasses, keys, wallet, and even our health, we say, “Thank You Jesus!”

So therefore, we should treasure all we have even if it’s very little. We, in our prayers, should continually give God thanks for the benefits bestowed upon us and remember it is not ourselves that made manifest our possessions, but God. The greatest riches we have are our relationships with others, family and friends. We need to be thankful for these relationships and celebrate them all the time, not just when, and if, we get them back.

From the perspective of the lost, it is about being re-membered. It is about finding what was lost. Sometimes we must find our lost selves. Sometimes we have to be found by another. Either way, getting our selves back, our community back, our parish back, is absolutely a cause for celebration. “Just so, I tell you, there is joy over finding what was lost.”

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: (BCP p. 233)

O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Pondering for Saturday, September 13, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 18: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 55; Evening, Psalms 138, 139:1-17;
1^st Kings 18:41 to 19:8; Philippians 3:17 to 4:7; Matthew 3:13 to 17:

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he consented:” (Matthew 3:13 to 15).

I understand John. He knows he was born only to announce the coming of the Author of life and love. Yet, he thought, “I am not the one, but you, shouldn’t you baptize me, not me baptize you?”

We say that the baptism of John was a baptism of repentance. Fine, but our Lord Jesus had nothing to repent from. John himself was a servant for sinners in order that they might repent. Therefore, shouldn’t those of us being baptized, be baptized into the call of servanthood?

In the Episcopal Church, baptism makes us Christian. And, I am proud to say we accept the Trinitarian baptism of all Christian faiths. Later in our lives, if we remain steadfast, we are Confirmed by our Bishop. Confirmation then, makes us Episcopalians.

In our Creed we say that we believe in one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I think I have been baptized three times. I only discovered the first one when I sent off for my transcripts for college and my transcripts from Saint Vincent de Paul’s school in Nashville, Tennessee reported that I was identified by baptismal certificate. I never knew that. My intentional baptismal was at Saint Anne’s Episcopal Church, Memphis, Tennessee at the Easter Vigil of 1980. That Baptism, I did know about. And lastly, I could not pass up the opportunity to be baptized in the Jordan River itself when I visited the Holy Land in February of 2018.

Even while we hold on to our sacred traditions we really don’t know what life will bring us on the morrow. Our Lord Jesus set us the example of humility. He was handed over to Mary for birth. He handed himself over to John to be baptized. And, shamefully, he was handed over by us to be crucified.

I pray that in my baptism, with God’s help, I will seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving my neighbor as myself; and I will strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being. So help me God.

Today we remember Cyprian of Carthage, Bishop and Martyr and his information may be found at: Cyprian of Carthage

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: (The Collect for Saturdays BCP p. 99)

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Pondering for Friday, September 12, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Friday of Proper 18: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 40 and 54; Evening, Psalm 51;
1^st Kings 18:20 to 40; Philippians 3:1 to16; Matthew 3:1 to 12:

“Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you:” (Philippians 3:15).

Walking in faith requires constant due diligence. Maturity in faith requires us to learn and be open to evolving, even beyond the limits of Bible and Church doctrine. When we are a little silent in the company of others, we will hear and see those in the room who are also mature, and of the same mind. While being of the same mind does not mean absolute agreement on all thing, biblically or otherwise, it does mean the acknowledgment of not having the answers to all questions. It is okay to humble ourselves into the cloud of unknowing while maintaining our sacred faith in Christ Jesus.

In our 1^st Kings reading Elijah was able to prove that the Lord is God by calling down fire for the sacrifice of a bull. Unfortunately, it also led to the slaughter of the prophets of Baal. Being of the same mind does not mean we all have to agree. Being of the same mind, for me, means that in the end, God will decide. We should do what we think is loving and right, then God will decide.

Fire is also the cleanser of our souls as reported by John the Baptist in our Gospel reading from Matthew today. “I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire:” (Matthew 3:11), John the Baptist proclaims as he acknowledges he doesn’t have all the answers. But our Lord Jesus will be the burning bush of enlightenment that will at last give us peace.

I think the mature mind is the mind that tells itself that it still has some maturation to go. It doesn’t hastily discount other’s thoughts, but it ponders about a great many things. It’s Friday again. Let us take some time tomorrow to just contemplate where we are spiritually, “this too God will reveal to you.”

Today we remember John Henry Hobart, Bishop of New York (September 12, 1949) and his information may be found at: John Henry Hobart

What is Shabbat? Intro to the Jewish Sabbath – YouTube

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: (Taken from Psalm 51)

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence and take not your holy Spirit from me. Give me the joy of your saving help again and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit. Amen.

Pondering for Thursday, September 11, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 18: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 50; Evening, Psalms 8 and 84;
1^st Kings 18:1 to19; Philippians 2:12 to 30; Matthew 2:13 to 23:

“Now after they [the wise men] had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him:” (Matthew 2: 13).

I have often pondered about this reading, why did God not just prevent Herod from killing the child Jesus, and also prevent the killing of the innocent babies two years and younger around Bethlehem? This would have shown all Israel that God’s work was being done.

But God does not work that way. So from the court of heaven an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream giving him instructions about what to do. We have no words form Joseph in any of the Gospel writings. He is the silent and obedient mortal father of our Lord Jesus. He is the perfect role model for fatherhood.

Joseph does as he is told; he takes his family to Egypt. He stays there until he is again told to return to Israel. A point to notice is that he uses his own reasoning to go to Nazareth instead of returning to Bethlehem. Richard Hooker, a sixteenth century Anglican priest and theologian, says that we have the three legged stool of scripture, tradition and reason. I believe all three have equal play in our faith walk. Joseph was a strong man of faith in the Hebrew tradition. He was brought up under the Hebrew scripture and tradition of the Law of Moses of his day. He had no way of knowing that he was a part of the new Christian tradition even as the New Testament scripture, which included him, was being recorded. But he used his God-given reason to adjust his destination.

Joseph was, like Mary, handpicked by God to parent God Incarnate. There is no greater resume for parenthood that this. Joseph loved our baby Lord more than he loved himself. Joseph was open to obeying the messengers of God who did not “come” to him, but rather, “appeared” to him in a dream. Angels are always with us. They keep themselves indiscernible to our senses. Angels don’t come to us, they drop their cover when we need God’s intervention. God works through us, for us. We, especially fathers, should emulate Joseph in being strong, silent lovers and protectors of our children. Joseph lived a life of love for Mary and Jesus. And, sometimes running away is God’s plan for salvation, such as the families trying to escape devastation in many countries today. Let us also love as Joseph did and do what we can as a part of God’s dream for all humanity.

Today we remember Harry Thacker Burleigh, Composer, September 11, 1949) and his information may be found at: Harry Thacker Burleigh

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: (BCP p. 239)

O God, who from the family of your servant David raised up Joseph to be the guardian of your incarnate Son and the spouse of his virgin mother: Give us grace to imitate his uprightness of life and his obedience to your commands; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.