Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary
As a father I often think of my role in promoting the faith of my children. I am delighted when I see my children grow and learning. I want my children to see themselves in relation to God, other people, and all of creation. The scriptures for today talk of the role of St Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the early life of Jesus. They also speak of the role of his faith in his story.
There is often so much focus on the Blessed Virgin Mary and her role in Jesus’ life and the life of the Church that sometimes we don’t spend as much time talking about St Joseph. Nevertheless, the scriptures for today show that he played a very important role. Today’s gospel reading option from Matthew (1:16, 18-21, 24a) speaks of Joseph’s courage in his response to the revelation that he receives from the angel. The angel tells him not to be afraid to take Mary into his home. That Joseph took this seriously and did what God asked of him is very significant. This shows that Jospeh was willing to risk his reputation and his reputation in order to do what the Lord was commanding him to do. In so doing, what he did demonstrated his faith.
The focus on Joseph’s faithful response to the angel’s message fits in well with Paul’s words (4:13, 16-18, 22) in the second reading which concern the importance of faith. The promise God made to Abraham, Paul says, is ultimately not based in the law. The two sides cannot be forced to keep their side of the agreement. It is a free covenant, and as such it depends on love. We can’t force God to love us nor can God force us to Him. Yet we willingly follow because we believe that God has our good in mind and by following him that we can achieve our
Jesus is heir both by faith and by birth to the promise made to Abraham. And Joseph himself plays a role in this story. We believe that he was not Jesus’ natural father. But there is a way in which Joseph becomes Jesus’ father through practicing his faith. He becomes related by faith. We see something similar happens when someone becomes a member of the Church through baptism. By being baptized into Christ they become heir to the promises made to Abraham and his children in faith.
What must it have been like to have been Jesus’ father? Joseph, I imagine, was like many fathers, proud of his son, and eager that he should learn and grow. What an awesome role for someone to play. Joseph’s role was unique, yet his witness also shows that every Christian has a role to play in building the kingdom of God. Whether this role is big or small, it is very important and we must never forget that.
As I reflect on Joseph’s story, I become increasingly aware of the statement of the claim that faith requires courage. It requires courage to follow in the Lord when it is difficult. I pray that today I may have the courage to following where God is leading me, and for my life to be changed as a result.
- Joel Schickel