Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Pope Francis added to the Eucharist Prayers this year. The change added Blessed Joseph Mary’s Spouse. Certainly Joseph has always had a place of honor in the Church so why now. Perhaps there are many reasons for this addition. First of all, it was suggested by John the XXIII, over fifty years ago. Secondly, there is a crisis in morality and moral thinking and having another excellent model of faith can help us identify ourselves through Joseph to Christ.
For myself, the gift of Joseph follows this thinking but is rooted in the fact that for all practical purposes Joseph was Jesus’ earthly father. As a father, surrogate or otherwise, fathers bear a heavy burden. This is not to say that mothers do not, however it is Joseph’s feast day. The burden in our culture partly arises from feeling the need to be the breadwinner, the provider. Upon hearing the words from my wife that she was pregnant my whole world changed.
For Joseph, a man whose lineage was from the house of David, hearing the words from Mary that she was pregnant must have rocked his world. The scripture says as much. Joseph was faced with a choice and his decision was to divorce Mary quietly. When the messenger from God came and invited him to a deeper level of faith in a dream, Joseph said Yes. Joseph’s yes is a model for us. What do we do when we are faced with moral dilemmas? Do we listen to God’s voice? Or do we just say my will be done.
"Lord help us this day to hear Your voice so that we, like Joseph, follow Your plan for us by saying Yes! Amen! "
-Michael Montgomery