Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Although not a husband or father myself, I have been blessed with the experiences of my own father, married to my mother for more than 50 years, and my own husband, father of our three children. Growing up, my parents not only raised my two sisters and I, but also frequently foster-parented other children in need of a temporary safe home. As most people know, although a blessing, each of these roles is demanding. Whether or not we have personal experience in these roles, I think we can all benefit from the example and life of St. Joseph, husband of Mary and foster-father of Jesus, whom the Church celebrates and remembers today.
Primarily what we know about St. Joseph comes from the Scriptures, and for today’s readings we are given an option of gospel readings from Matthew or Luke. I will touch on both gospel readings given that they provide us with different insights into Joseph and his role as spouse and foster-father.
The gospel from Matthew (1: 16, 18-21, 24a) refers to Joseph learning of Mary’s pregnancy before they were living together. Knowing that the child Mary was carrying was not his, Joseph was planning to divorce her as was the law, but intended to do so compassionately and quietly for Mary’s sake to protect her from shame and the possibility of being stoned to death if accused of adultery. An angel of the Lord in a dream instructed him to not be afraid to take Mary into his home for the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph did just that. With apparent strong faith and trust in God, Joseph listened to the angel and received pregnant Mary to whom he was betrothed into his home (quite possibly amidst gossip about the situation.) The gospel writer tells us that Joseph was “a righteous man.”
The second gospel option comes from Luke (2: 41-51a) and tells of Mary and Joseph’s anxious search for 12-year-old Jesus. He had remained behind in Jerusalem without his parents’ knowledge when they had begun their journey back home with a caravan of relatives and acquaintances. They searched for three days before finding Jesus in the temple. Imagine the anxiety and fear that must have been in their hearts as they searched for their son among the crowds of people! And when asked why he had done this to them, Jesus’ reply, which I could imagine as a parent sounding like he just “didn’t get it”, was “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” What parent of a 12-year-old and older hasn’t heard the message “what’s the big deal? Why are you so upset?” Or “You just don’t understand!” And the gospel tells us that, indeed, “they did not understand what he said to them.” But he went back with them (to their relief, I imagine) and was obedient.
Joseph worried about Jesus, cared for him, and loved him as if he were his own biological son. Likewise, he loved and cared about Mary and her well-being. He demonstrated tremendous faith, trust and an obedient, open heart ready to hear the angel’s message of instruction and guidance.
I pray today that we all may be as loving, compassionate, righteous, and obedient listeners of God’s voice as was Joseph. Let us also pray on this feast of St. Joseph especially for husbands, fathers, grandfathers, step-fathers, and foster-fathers charged with their challenging responsibilities, that they, with guidance from the Holy Spirit, be strengthened and inspired to live lives faithful to these very important relationships.
~Eileen Miller