Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Lectionary: 543

It was not through the law that the promise was made to Abraham and his descendants that he would inherit the world, but through the righteousness that comes from faith. For this reason, it depends on faith, so that it may be a gift...


Where Saint Luke tells us of Mary, the woman who first hears the Good News, Saint Matthew tells us about Saint Joseph. Both are model saints and disciples for us as they readily hear and do the Word of God.
The choice of today's second reading also suggests Joseph as the new Abraham. His son will be the new Isaac, the firstborn and only beloved son who is offered in sacrifice. 
Where the Pharisaic religion of Jesus' time appealed to Moses and the Law, Saint Paul directed the Christian's gaze to Abraham, "the father of faith," who knew nothing of the Mosaic Law. His relationship with God was direct and face to face. 
As I think of Abraham's encounter with God I think of three incidents: his attempt to save the cities of the plain from destruction, his watching the mushroom cloud rising over Sodom and Gomorrah, and his sacrifice of Isaac. 
Jewish spirituality does not suppose Abraham simply surrendered his son to the deity that would make an insane, cruel, and arbitrary demand. His sacrifice may have been a courageous act of defiance. He had seen the terrible power of God to overthrow wickedness. He must have reeled at the thought that he stood alone, the only human on earth, who might be able to petition, plead, or persuade this All Powerful One to show compassion to human beings. We are wretched creatures,  driven more by fear and passion than by love or reason. Without God's grace we will always and invariably destroy one another.  "...as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be..." 

What can he do but comply with God's demand? Confronted with a god who accepts no compromise, the Patriarch dares God to stop him. He takes the boy to Mount Moriah, builds the altar, binds the child, raises the knife. Nothing will prevent him from obeying God's command except God's command. 
Lovers often challenge each other, testing the limits of their relationships. It comes with belonging to human families and human society. Our love must be gentle and compassionate at times; tough and uncompromising, at others. We try each other's patience and we learn patience from the experience. More importantly, we learn that, "My life is not about me. My life is about us, our friendship, family, and covenant." We learn the courage to stand up for ourselves and the courage to back down and let be. 
Our fear of God is like God, courageous. 

Joseph was tasked with protecting "the child and his mother." (Saint Matthew uses the expression several times.) He must abandon his family, home, and career in Bethlehem and take them from Bethlehem to Egypt, and then to Nazareth. He must discipline this God-Child who might have infinite wisdom but still must learn to tie his shoes and blow his nose properly.
He will be faithful and just, like his ancestor Abraham, and in the spirit of Abraham.  He will know God face to face in Mary's child and the Child will learn that mercy and compassion must outweigh the Law. The Law was made for man, and not man for the law. He will also stand in silent wonder, like Abraham, as he discovers the boy in the temple, listening to the elders and asking them questions. Finally, having done his part, he will disappear. Not one word is recorded from Saint Joseph. His silence is his Gospel, the Word made Flesh. It was never about him. 


USCCB responds to Coronavirus:

Holy Virgin of Guadalupe, Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas.
We fly to you today as your beloved children.
We ask you to intercede for us with your Son, as you did at the wedding in Cana.

Pray for us, loving Mother,
and gain for our nation and world,
and for all our families and loved ones,
the protection of your holy angels,
that we may be spared the worst of this illness.

For those already afflicted,
we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.
Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful,
wipe away their tears and help them to trust.

In this time of trial and testing,
teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind.
Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.

We come to you with confidence,
knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother,
health of the sick and cause of our joy.

Shelter us under the mantle of your protection,
keep us in the embrace of your arms,
help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus. Amen.