Word to the Wise
Friday, March 19, 2010 - St. Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary
[2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16; Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22; Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a OR Luke 2:41-51a]"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary you wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her......" When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.
Joseph in the New Testament is like his namesake in the Old Testament. He is a dreamer and he believes that God's plan may include considerable adversity. (cf. Genesis 45:5-8) By taking Mary "into his home" he takes the risk of public scandal on his shoulders and moves forward. His "righteousness" might have entitled him to act differently under the Mosaic Law, but mercy and love prevail in God's plan! This "son of David" was destined for big things. For a man about whom we know very little, indeed, Joseph has become one of the most popular patron saints in the Church. Dozens of religious orders take their name from him. Devotion to him on the part of a humble Holy Cross brother, Andre Bessett, has led to the building of the enormous St. Joseph Oratory in Montreal. The Little Sisters of the Poor, who conduct marvelous nursing homes, have a tradition that in dire need they place a slip of paper with the need written on it beneath the statue of St. Joseph, with the result of story after story of prayers answered. Catholic religious goods stores keep a basket with small plastic statues of St. Joseph available for the tradition of burying one in the ground of a piece of real estate one wishes to sell! This range of activity - from husband of Mary to church builder to rescuer to real estate agent to patron saint of entire nations (Canada, Italy) to patron saint of workers, etc. - is amazing for an obscure carpenter from a small village in the Middle East. He personifies St. Paul's words: "For those who love God, all things work together unto good." Our own trust in God's providence finds a sure companion in Joseph. AMEN