Easter, Week 2: Thursday.
Voices ever ancient, ever new: Saint John Chrysostom
Optional memorial of Saint Joseph the Worker

“The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven [is above all].” (John 3:31)

Saint John Chrysostom comments on this verse from today’s Gospel reading:

“As the worm gnaws through the wood from which it is born, and rust destroys the iron from which it came, and moths consume fleece, so pride destroys the soul that nourishes it. Therefore we need perseverance to get rid of it. John himself can hardly subdue it in his disciples even with all of his cogent arguments. He has to say again what he has said above, “He that comes from above is above all.” He means: you make much of my testimony and say that the witness is more worthy to be believed than Jesus to whom I bear witness. Know this, that it is impossible for the one who comes from heaven to be accredited by an earthly witness. He is above all, being perfect in himself and above comparison.” (Homilies on the Gospel of John, 30)



O God, Who for the salvation of the world
brought about the paschal sacrifice,
be favorable to the supplications of Your people,
so that Christ our High Priest, interceding on our behalf,
may by His likeness to ourselves
bring us reconciliation,
and by His equality with You
free us from our sins.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.




God our Father
You gave to us
the just-man
Saint Joseph,
who was completely
obedient to the call
of the Holy Spirit,
by being spouse to the Virgin Mother of God
and watching like a father over Jesus,
Your Only Begotten Son.

Gracious Father,
charge once again Saint Joseph,
patron of our parish,
to watch over us as he watched over
Mary and Your Son, Jesus:
 • to know Your Will,
 • to be given the grace to carry it out faithfully, and
 • the wisdom to respond to Your love for us.

Saint Joseph, patron of our parish,
guard and protect us
from all that keeps us
from following more closely
Jesus, your son and Son of God,
in the unfolding mysteries
of the Father’s plan for our salvation.

As in all things,
we make this prayer
through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God, forever and ever. Amen.



The Lord is risen! Alleluia!
He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!