Thursday, March 18, 2021

St. Joseph, Spouse of the B V Mary, Friday, 19-03-2021

2 Sam 7:4-5, 12-14, 16 / Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22 / Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24     

There are many illustrious and glorious titles for St. Joseph.

He is the Patron of the Universal Church, Patron of the unborn child, Patron Saint of fathers, Patron Saint of workers and carpenters, Patron Saint of travellers, Patron Saint of migrants and Patron Saint of the dying and of a happy death.

All the above titles have a scriptural basis to them and these titles say a lot about who St. Joseph is and his character and his virtues.

Today's feast celebrates St. Joseph's most eminent title and it is reflected in its status of being a Solemnity.

The title of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, truly reflects his role in God's plan of salvation.

Besides being a man of honour and wanting to spare Mary of adverse publicity and even harm, he had decided to divorce her informally.

He had made up his mind to do that, but God's angel told him in a dream of God's plan and told him not to be afraid.

St. Joseph was truly humble and obedient, and in taking Mary to his home, God's plan of salvation began to take concrete shape.

Mary was given a home and protection, and Jesus had a respectable status in life as God's plan unfolded.

It can be said simply that St. Joseph just did what he was told, but that takes a lot of faith and courage, as well as letting go of his personal plans and accepting God's will.

May St. Joseph pray for us that we too will let go of ourselves and let God's will be done in our lives.

Let us remember, like how it was for St. Joseph, God's plan will not take us to where His grace will not accompany us.