Friday, March 19, 2021

 Solemnity of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 (II Samuel 7:4-5a.12-14a.16; Romans 4:13.16-18.22; Matthew 1:16.18-21.24a)

 Pope Francis has proclaimed this year as the Jubilee Year of St. Joseph.  Although relatively little is written about him in the gospels, he is being treated with the same reverence as St. Paul!  People may wonder why, given the fact that not only is little said about St. Joseph, but he never utters a word in all Scripture.  Yet he facilitated the incarnation and our salvation by giving Jesus and Mary a home.  It is instructive to imagine what Joseph brought to that home.

 First, he was open to life.  Joseph not only accepted Jesus as a foster son; he also sheltered and nourished the Son of God.  He allowed himself to contemplate the glory of God by watching Jesus grow in his midst.  Joseph also must have prayed constantly.  The statement that the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream implies that he was always thinking about God.  Dreams are often extensions of conscious life where hopes and fears are played out.  Joseph, called a righteous man in the gospel, probably prayed that he might serve the Lord.  Finally, Joseph no doubt instilled the human values of workmanship in his home.  He taught Jesus mindfulness in preparing the job at hand, diligence in pursuing its excellence, and patience in finishing a product.  Jesus was a more capable preacher and leader because of Joseph’s tutelage.

 In this Jubilee Year of St. Joseph, we can pray for his intercession with our needs.  He knew the human situation, its limits, and its difficulties.  Turning to him, we can count on his support to move us beyond our little world of self into the unbounded love of God.  Doing so, we will complete works that are helpful to others and meritorious for us.

 

 

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