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     The prophecy in the Second Book of Samuel about the promised "son of David" who would deliver the people and establish an everlasting kingdom is the overarching backdrop to whatever we know of St. Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary!  If we rely on scripture alone, we turn to the "infancy narratives" of the Gospels of Luke and Matthew, especially the latter.  In Matthew, we learn of the embarrassing social situation created by Mary's unexpected pregnancy and of Joseph's reputation for being a "just man" and his obedience to and acceptance of what amounts to his own "annunciation" experience in a dream. He would also respond to dreams about the danger to Jesus from Herod's fury and when to return from Egypt and where to live. In Luke, we learn of the necessity of the journey to Bethlehem based on the census (possibly on the prophecy of Micah as well), the presentation in the temple, and the search for the lost Child Jesus.  But, after the infancy narratives end, Joseph drops out of sight in the bible. His purpose, scripturally, was to firmly establish Jesus' Davidic roots.

     Tradition and imagination did not lose sight of him.  Perhaps in our own times the most dramatic example of a devotion to St. Joseph, by a humble Holy Cross brother in Montreal, Canada.  This devotion resulted in the construction of an enormous church called the St. Joseph Oratory!  One may also call on the Little Sisters of the Poor, who run beautiful nursing care facilities, for the legendary response of St. Joseph to desperate slips of paper placed beneath his statue in times of dire need at the nursing homes.  Certainly not least is his title as Patron Saint of the Universal Church (and patron of many other countries and groups like workers, especially carpenters, etc.)  In short, for being a "bit player" in the drama of Jesus' origins, Joseph has managed to get some rather great dramatic attention!  Today is his feast.  I, for one, will be interested in hearing what our new pope, Francis I, will say about him!  AMEN