Today we celebrate the Feast of Saint Joseph. As we hear in today’s Gospel, Joseph was a son of David the great King of Israel. More importantly as we hear in the beginning of today’s Gospel, Joseph was “the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.” The Gospel also tells that Joseph was both just and merciful: “Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.” Joseph wanted to be faithful to the dictates of the Torah since he was a “righteous man” but also wanted to deal with Mary mercifully. The angel helped Joseph to understand God’s way and God’s plan which was beyond any human understanding: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.” God’s wondrous plan was to offer salvation: “She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
The angel helped Joseph to see that God works through mysterious and unexpected way. Joseph’ basic impulse was right as he tried to follow God’s way of mercy and compassion. Both the Old Testament and Jesus teach that God’s mercy is even greater than God’s justice. St. Paul brings out this message in today’s second reading: “It was not through the law…but through the righteousness that comes from faith. For this reason, it depends on faith, so that it may be a gift.” We celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph because he was open to God’s call even when at first it shocked and even scandalized him.
We also celebrate St. Joseph as the father of Jesus who raised his son with love and respect for his Jewish traditions and taught him his carpenter’s trade. So today we celebrate and prayer for all fathers who pass on their wisdom and their faith to their children. St. Joseph receives little mention in the New Testament and yet this humble carpenter is forever remembered as a son of King David and the foster father of Jesus, the Messiah and Son of God.
Image: “Свети Йосиф / Saint Joseph” by Академичен Мъжки Хор ГУСЛА is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.