2 Sam 7:4-5, 12-14, 16 / Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22 / Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24 or Luke 2:41-51
There is a choice for the gospel reading for today’s feast: it can either be from Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24, or it can be Luke 2:41-51.
The gospel from Matthew begins with this verse: Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of her was born Jesus who is called Christ.
In stating that Joseph was husband of Mary, it also declared, in not so many words, the most eminent status of Joseph.
Though Joseph didn’t quite understand what was meant by Mary conceiving by the power of the Holy Spirit, he still submitted to God’s plan, and took Mary home to be his wife.
As the husband of Mary, he took care of her, and provided and protected her and the child Jesus.
It was difficult for Joseph to understand the will and the plan of God in his life.
First, he took Mary home to be his wife and he wondered about the mystery of her pregnancy.
Then came the journey to Bethlehem to register for the census.
In the middle of all that, the time came for Mary to deliver her child.
Then came the wise men, and then he had to quickly bring Mary and the Child to flee to Egypt.
That would be too much for an ordinary man, but Joseph persevered and trusted in God.
Let us ask St. Joseph to pray for us, that like him, we will ponder upon God’s plan and like St. Joseph choose to carry out God’s will in our lives.