Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Husband of B.V.M.

Homily (Reflection) for the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Husband of B.V.M. (19^th March, 2021) 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 you act. 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. Saint 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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