HOMILY FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF ST JOSEPH SPOUSE OF MARY

Homily for the Solemnity of St. Joseph (Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary). 

2 Samuel 7:4-5a,12-14a,16. Psalm 89:2-3,4-5,27,29. Romans 4:13,16-18,22. Matthew 1:16,18-21,24a.

Today's solemnity should have been celebrated yesterday (19th of March, 2023), but it had to be celebrated today because yesterday was Sunday. The liturgy of the fourth Sunday of Lent was celebrated yesterday.

St. Joseph, the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and foster father of our Lord Jesus Christ, was descended from the royal house of David. This is reflected in the promise of God to David through the Prophet Nathan in the first reading: "And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your house shall be established forever" (2 Sam.7:16).

This feast originated in the fifteenth century and was then extended to the whole Church in 1621. In 1847, Pope Pius IX named St. Joseph the Patron of the Universal Church, and from then, the feast has been celebrated on March 19 as one of high rank. In some places, it is observed as a holy day of obligation. Pope St. John XXIII included St. Joseph's name in the Roman Canon.

Today's Gospel places a special emphasis that St. Joseph was a member of the house of David: Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ (Matt.1:16). St. Joseph is the Patriarch of the New Testament.

We have in today's Gospel that Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her (Mary) shame (Matt.1:19), decided to divorce Mary secretly. While he was meditating on this, the angel appeared to him in a dream, telling him to take Mary as his wife. He did exactly what the angel said.

He had a depth of faith and trust in God that most of us may not have. The action and acceptance that Joseph shows reflect his great faith in God. He believes the words spoken to him and follows as God wishes him to.

St. Paul instructs us in the second reading to share in Abraham's faith so that by it, we, like Abraham, will have our own faith reckoned to as righteousness. This is the kind of faith we see in Joseph. Abraham and Joseph prove that whosoever puts their trust in God will never be disappointed.

A danger could exist on our Christian journey. When everything goes smoothly or when others esteem our efforts, our life seems to flourish, and it is easy in such a situation to have faith in God. On the other hand, when everything is difficult, stressful, or painful, frustration seems to cast a grey cloud over us. Is it possible to believe in God in such a situation?

The life of St. Joseph is a reminder that sometimes we need to take on adverse situations and turn them into possibilities.

St. Joseph lived his life in perfect obedience to God's will. It is believed he died in the arms of Jesus and Mary and is considered as the patron of a happy death.

May God grant us the grace through the intercession of St. Joseph to always be faithful so that His designs will be fulfilled in our lives through Christ our Lord. Amen.