HOLY MASS READINGS FOR MARCH 19, 2024

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent  (White)

Solemnity of St. Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary

LH: Office the Solemnity

Mass of the Solemnity, Gloria, Creed, Proper Preface

 FIRST READING
“The Lord God will give to him the throne of his father, David” (Lk 1.32).
A reading from the second Book of Samuel (2 Samuel 7:4-5a.12—14a. 16)

In those days: The word of the Lord came to Nathan, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me; your throne shall be established for ever. ”’

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM 

Ps 89:2-3.4-5.27 and 29 (R. 37a)

R/. His descendants shall continue forever.

I will sing forever of your mercies, O Lord;
through all ages my mouth will proclaim your fidelity.
I have declared your mercy is established forever;
your fidelity stands firm as the heavens. R/.

“With my chosen one I have made a covenant;
I have sworn to David my servant:
I will establish your descendants forever,
and set up your throne through all ages.” R/.

“He will call out to me, ‘You are my father,
my God, the rock of my salvation. ’
I will keep my faithful love for him always;
with him my covenant shall last.” R/.

SECOND READING
“In hope he believed against hope. ”
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (Romans 4: 13.16-18.22)

Brethren: The promise to Abraham and his descendants, that they should inherit the world, did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. That is why all depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants — not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham, for he is the father of us all, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations” — in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations; as he had been told, “So shall your descendants be.” That is why his faith was “reckoned to him as righteousness.”

The word of the Lord.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION 

Psalm 84:4

Glory and praise to you, O Christ. 

Blessed are those who dwell in your house, O Lord, ever singing your praise! 

Glory and praise to you, O Christ.

GOSPEL
“Joseph did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 1:16.18-21.24a)

Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Or the following:

GOSPEL
“Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously. ”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 2:41-51a)

The parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the company they went a day’s journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.” And he said to them, “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them.

The Gospel of the Lord.