Solemnity of St. Joseph
(II Samuel
7:405a.12-14a.16; Romans 3:13.16-18.22; Matthew 1:16.18-21.24a)
“Unless your
righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and the Pharisees,” Jesus proclaims
on the mountain, “you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Perhaps Jesus discerned this new
righteousness by observing his foster-father St. Joseph
In today’s gospel
Matthew tells us that Joseph is a “righteous man.” The measure of his righteousness is seen by
his not allowing Mary to be exposed to shame.
There exist motives for him to do so.
We can imagine Joseph’s sense of outrage upon learning that his
betrothed is pregnant by another. Also,
it is reasoned that he would be able to keep Mary’s dowry if he divorces her
publicly. But Joseph, as Jesus
recommends throughout his sermon on true righteousness, moves secretly so that
only God sees his good deed.
As we know well,
Joseph’s accepting responsibility for Mary and Jesus involves ever greater
sacrifices. In Matthew’s account of
Jesus’ birth, Joseph must take his family to Egypt
