import json


def parse_messages(mesg_file=None):
    """
    Read a set of JSON formatted messages and store as dictionary

    :param mesg_file: location of file with JSON formatted messages
    :return: dictionary with messages/statuses
    """
    site_mesg = {}
    if not mesg_file:
        return site_mesg
    buf = open(mesg_file).read()
    site_mesg = json.loads(buf)
    return site_mesg