Homily (Reflection) for the Solemnity
of Saint Joseph, Husband of B.V.M. (19th March, 2018) on the Gospel
and the Solemnity
2Sam 7:4-5. 12-14.16;
Ps 89:2-5.27.29 (R. v. 37); Rom 4:13.16-18.22;
Matt 1:16.18-21.24 or Lk 2:41-51.
Saint Joseph, spouse
of the Blessed Virgin Mary and foster-father of Jesus Christ is the prince and patron of the Universal
Church. According to apocryphal, he was born
in Bethlehem and died in Nazareth. He was a simple village carpenter and is
venerated in the Catholic Church, Anglican Communion, Lutheranism, Methodism,
Eastern Orthodox Church, and Oriental Orthodox Church. Saint Joseph is also the
patron of unborn children, fathers, immigrants, workers, employment,
carpenters, realtors, against doubt and hesitation, and of a happy death,
Canada, Croatia, Korea, Vietnam, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines, and many
others. Pope John XXIII added his name to the Canon of the Mass. Pope Francis had
his name added to the three other Eucharistic Prayers[1]
Topic: Truly righteous.
The gospel (Matt
1:16.18-21.24a) tells us about the great saint we are celebrating. Mary the
mother of Jesus who had been engaged to Joseph was found to be with child from
the Holy Spirit. The gospel goes further, “being a righteous man and unwilling
to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.” And in a
dream the angel of the Lord told him how it all happened and instructed him to
take his wife. And, “When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the
Lord commanded him.”
In the life of Saint Joseph we see in action, Think before acting. If he was impulsive in his action, he wouldn’t have
had the time he needed to plan on what to do. And it was legitimate for him to expose
Mary to public ridicule and shameful death, cf. Lev 20:10.
We have a lot of lessons to learn from the life of Saint
Joseph. Although according to laws we have right to a lot of things yet we must
be careful lest we hurt our brothers and sisters. One’s right can be forfeited
for a higher right, cf. Matt 19:12. Again, we are called to do God’s
will and not ours, cf. 2Tim 2:26; Heb
13:21. Joseph is a wonderful example. He took Mary as commanded by God contrary
to his own decision. Do we do God’s will or ours? We must follow the example of
Saint Joseph to be truly righteous.
Bible Reading: Rom 9:19-29; 2Tim 2:14-26.
Thought for today: We are called to be righteous.
Let us pray: Lord, give us all the graces we need
to be truly righteous – Amen.
Saint Joseph – Pray for us.
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others if you consider it worthy.
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