2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, Romans 4:13, 16-18, Psalm 89:2-5, 27 & 29, Matthew 1:1:16, 18-21

FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH - 

HUSBAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, Romans 4:13, 16-18, Psalm 89:2-5, 27 & 29, Matthew 1:1:16, 18-21

2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14

My Beloved, today the Church in the midst of Lent takes a moment to celebrate the feast of St. Joseph, Your foster father and husband of his most chaste spouse the blessed Virgin Mary, Your Mama. The Lord God asks this question to King David thorough he prophet Nathan, "Are you to build a house for me to live in?" But St. Joseph was charged with the loving task of doing precisely that, making a home for God's two greatest treasures, His only Son and His fairest and most chaste daughter Mary.  He picked St. Joseph, the glorious Saint whom the Church recognizes and hones for all his most admirable qualities. He has been names protector of Your Body, the Church. He cared for its Head so it is natural and fitting he that the care of the Body too be entrusted to his protection as well.  He never failed You, he will not fail us.

Romans 4:13, 16-18

My Beloved, the Word of God tells us that St. Joseph was a just man. St.Paul says in verse 4 that a great reward awaits a just man who is friend of God through faith. This is a perfect description of St. Joseph who acted promptly in faith whenever he was required to do so. He did not ask question or for clarifications he just did what was asked of him. God knew that He could trust him implicitly and the lives of both the Child and the Mother entrusted to his care by God Himself would not be misplaced.

Faith and race of these dear St. Joseph had in abundance and God's covenant could be fulfilled because he collaborated with Him in ensuring that the Son of Mary would have a legal father who would faithfully and lovingly discharge all his responsibilities in caring for both Son and His virginal Mother.

Psalm 89:2-5, 27 & 29

How beautifully the verses of this Psalm together with all the readings in the Liturgy throw into relief the life and work of our dearest St. Joseph whom God entrusted with His Treasures Jesus and Mary.

Matthew 1:1:16, 18-21

My Beloved, in a few brief verses we are told of the greatest even in human history. Across of man's destiny a few bold strokes of color and light are splashed.Nothing is told but the facts  there is nothing on the canvas except the main characters who feature in the greatest story ever told.  Names and words are strung together on a gossamer thread and are weaved into an unbelievably beautiful design as God's word of salvation unfolds before our eyes that takes our breath away. 

We have a mention of Your genealogy which ends in verse 16. We are told about how Mary and Joseph who until that time seems just an ordinary man and woman entering into the sacred covenant of marriage through those betrothal when suddenly, it would seem the world as they knew it until then could change forever. 

This is how You were born we are told. Mary who was to be given to Joseph in marriage was found to be with child.  Wow! One can hardly understand the terrible implications to them both let alone the Babe in the womb. It could have all gone horribly and tragically wrong if either Mary or Joseph decided to trust their own judgment other than God's.  We are given a glimpse of St. Joseph's character as a man, a loving husband and a godly man. He would do all in his power to protect Mary from any unnecessary suffering so tender and deep was his love for her.

Into an already dramatic situation an angel enters, explains, comforts and reassures St. Joseph. He did not doubt, his was a clear, simple childlike faith and to him there was only one response to God's mission for him - total obedience.

Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife the Baby is conceived by the Holy Spirit. She will have a Son who will save His people from their sins.  St. Joseph would have trembled in awe and the weight of the tremendous responsibility but he did not flinch or shrink. Today no matter how many honors are given to him it will never be enough for he has served God and His Church well - both the Head and its members.