SOLEMNITY OF ST. JOSEPH - 1998

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

In our first reading the prophet Nathan delivers a message from God to King David. David had been concerned about a place for the Ark of the Covenant, a worthy dwelling place. He had in mind to build a magnificent structure to house it. But Nathan's message is that David will not build such a house or temple. Rather, God promises that he will build a house for him, a dynasty and a 'firm kingdom.'

Prophetically this is a reference to Christ and his Church or Kingdom. This prophecy is perfectly fulfilled in Jesus Christ, "whose kingdom shall endure forever. Jesus Christ is the son of David, so recognized by the Church. The use of this reading is an historical gesture; Joseph is honored as foster-father of Jesus. Joseph being of the House of David, Jesus is legally his heir.

Psalm 89 responds to this reading. Verse 37 of the psalm proclaims : "HiS [David's] posterity shall continue forever." Our responsorial verse is adapted from that text: "The son of David will live forever." This long psalm (53 verses) is a poem of reflections. "favors of the Lord I will sing forever," the psalmist begins (vs. 2). Then the psalmist has God speak: "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant: Forever will I confirm your posterity and establish your throne for all generations" (vs. 4-5). The prophetic content of these words is unmistakable. The verses between verse 5 and verse 27, which is the next of our response, extol David and his accomplishments. Verse 27 then is David's,recognition of the Lord: "You are my father, mY God, the Rock." Does not Jesus call God his Father?

In the prophetic reading and psalm response, do we not recognize the vocation and role of Joseph in salvation history?

The second reading from the Letter to the Romans is a testimony to the faith of Abraham, His faith is the reason why he inherited the promise. By faith here we mean Abraham's acceptance of God at his word, and his willingness to do what God asked of him. God's promise was extended to Abraham's posterity

By analogy today we transfer God's commendation to Abraham to St. Joseph. Joseph accepted with faith what was asked of him, and judging from what we know from the Gospel and our tradition, God revealed to Joseph only the barest essential knowledge about his mission/vocation. The silence of the Scriptures speak eloquently of his faith. The few passages that mention Joseph simply show us a man going about what God asked of him. And like Mary, he probably pondered in his heart what was happening.

The Gospel. In Matthew's Gospel, in the story of the birth of Christ, Joseph is the central and active figure. Joseph is the recipient of revelations from God. The revelations come in a dream. Joseph understands what is asked of him, and without question accepts his mission/vocation.

In the Liturgy of the Hours, we read today, by St. Bernardine of Siena. He wrote:

There is a general rule concerning all special graces granted to any human being. Whenever the divine favor chooses someone to receive a special grace, or to accept a lofty vocation, God adorns the person chosen With all the gifts of the Spirit needed to fulfill the task at hand.

This general rule is especially verified in the case of St. Joseph ... He was chosen by the eternal Father as the trustworthy guardian and protector of his greatest treasures, namely, his divine Son, and Mary, Joseph's wife.

We, generally, have some notion of what God wants of us, through our prayerful discernment and consultation. This is the ordinary way that God works in us today. Added to that we need faith and trust of the kind exemplified by St. Joseph. In any adventure with God we are going to face obstacles and encounter difficulties, be they things or persons. This is well illustrated in the scripture readings for this solemnity, in the moments of salvation history that we read.

In these same readings we find encouragement for ourselves as well: from David, from Abraham, and especially from St. Joseph. From them we learn to give of ourselves wholeheartedly and without reservation to our God of love. We learn to make his will and purpose our will and purpose.

The opening prayer at our celebration honors St. Joseph as "that just man, that wise and loyal servant whom [God] placed. at the head of his family" we will say that in the Preface of this Mass. Joseph's call was to cherish Mary and to watch over the young Jesus. We ask for Joseph's watchfulness over the Church with the same care and unselfish love that he gave to Mary and to Jesus.

Let me end with a short remark by St. Bernard of Clairvaux:

There is no doubt ... that this Joseph, to whom the Mother of the Savior was espoused, was a good man and eminently faithful. A prudent and faithful servant he was.... a single and most trustworthy assistant on earth.