Solemnity of St Joseph, Husband of Mary

2 Sam. 7:4-5.12-14.16, Rom. 4:13.16-18.22, Mt. 1:16.18-21.24. Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of St Joseph, husband of Mary because of his service to Jesus and Mary during their family life in Nazareth. The Gospels did not record a single one of his words; we could say that his language is peaceful and compliant silence. He listened to the quiet voice which spoke to him in his sleep, promptly and generous obeyed in what was asked of him. He earned the family’s living by manual labour and lived a hidden life, the life of a simple artisan, far from all celebrity, but that humble man was so near to Jesus and Mary. He was intimately connected with their life and providing them with security.

Today’s first reading presents us with God’s promise to continue the line of David. From that line would come a descendant who will be in special relationship with God and also rule God’s people. It was from the lineage of David that Joseph came. Joseph extended the line to his wife’s Child, Jesus, the one truly beloved by God the Father. Today’s Gospel refers to Joseph as “a just man.” He was a poor, honest, hard-working, but one of deep interior life, giving him the freedom to put himself at the disposal of God’s plan for the childhood of Jesus. Joseph accepted the responsibility and the burden of family life, while renouncing the consolation of natural conjugal love because of his extraordinary vocation.

May the Lord be with us and empower us to continue to live our lives faithfully at all times! Amen!! Have a glorious day!!!