Greetings on this the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Readings: 2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16; Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29; Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22; Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a
Summary
In our gospel portion today, we are invited into the interior space of the mind and heart of Saint Joseph. Oh that we would always take on his most solemn thought: How can I be just?
The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (MT 1:20-21).
Faith of Abraham
Brothers and sisters: It was not through the law that the promise was made to Abraham and his descendants that he would inherit the world, but through the righteousness that comes from faith. For this reason, it depends on faith, so that it may be a gift, and the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants, not to those who only adhere to the law but to those who follow the faith of Abraham, who is the father of all of us, as it is written, I have made you father of many nations. He is our father in the sight of God (Rom 4: 13-16).
Franciscan Thought on Saint Joseph
By saying Joseph was “just,” the Bible means that he was one who was completely open to all that God wanted to do for him. He became holy by opening himself totally to God. It is no contradiction of Joseph’s manly holiness that he decided to divorce Mary when she was found to be with child. The important words of the Bible are that he planned to do this “quietly” because he was “a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame” (Matthew 1:19). Source: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-joseph-husband-of-mary/
Personal Reflection
I feel so small in the presence of the story of Saint Joseph. He has no voice in the sacred readings. He speaks through his actions and the narration of his inner thoughts given as a gift to us to know. His torment? To seek a just answer for Mary’s benefit was the centering reality for him:
HOW CAN I BE JUST?
- Follow the faith that is from Abraham, our spiritual father.
- Follow the heart and become the gift. Joseph, we say, was a gift from our Heavenly Father to his only Son and to Mary, his Mother. Joseph is gift.
May Saint Joseph be my patron Saint to help me be a better man. Amen!
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031925.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry