The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, invite us to consider the Plan of God that we experience through faith and openness to a vocation to care for those who live in the margins of our society.
The reading from the Second Book of Samuel is the Oracle of Nathan.
* [7:8–16] The message Nathan delivers to David, called the Dynastic Oracle, is prompted by David’s intention to build a house (i.e., a temple) for the Lord, like David’s own house (i.e., palace) of cedar. David is told, in effect, not to bother building a house for the Lord; rather, the Lord will make a house for him—a dynasty, the House of David. Not only will he have descendants (v. 12) who will sit upon the throne of Israel (v. 13), their rule will last forever (vv. 13, 16); and even if they transgress the Lord’s commands, the line of David will never be removed from kingship as Saul was (cf. 1 Sm 13; 15). The oracle establishes the Davidic king as standing in relationship to the Lord as a son to a father (v. 14; cf. Ps 2:7; 89:27). The Dynastic Oracle, with cognate texts in the Scriptures, is the basis for Jewish expectations of an anointed king (1 Sm 12:3, 5), son of David (Mt 21:9); cf. Acts 2:30; Heb 1:5.
* [7:13] He it is: Solomon, in the event.
* [7:16] The unconditional promise made here, and reflected in Ps 89:34–35, stands in contrast to the tradition in Ps 132:12, where the continuation of the line of David depends on their fidelity to the Lord; cf. also 1 Kgs 2:4; 6:12; 8:25. (2 Samuel, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 89 praises God’s Covenant with David.
* [Psalm 89] The community laments the defeat of the Davidic king, to whom God promised kingship as enduring as the heavens (Ps 89:2–5). The Psalm narrates how God became king of the divine beings (Ps 89:6–9) and how the Davidic king became king of earthly kings (Ps 89:20–38). Since the defeat of the king calls into question God’s promise, the community ardently prays God to be faithful to the original promise to David (Ps 89:39–52).
* [89:3–5] David’s dynasty is to be as long-lasting as the heavens, a statement reinforced by using the same verbs (establish, stand) both of the divine love and loyalty and of the Davidic dynasty and throne, cf. Ps 89:29–30. (Psalms, PSALM 89 | USCCB, n.d.)
The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans declares that God’s Promise is realized through Faith.
* [4:1–25] This is an expanded treatment of the significance of Abraham’s faith, which Paul discusses in Gal 3:6–18; see notes there. (Romans, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Matthew, the Birth of Jesus, the Messiah, is presented.
* [1:18–25] This first story of the infancy narrative spells out what is summarily indicated in Mt 1:16. The virginal conception of Jesus is the work of the Spirit of God. Joseph’s decision to divorce Mary is overcome by the heavenly command that he take her into his home and accept the child as his own. The natural genealogical line is broken but the promises to David are fulfilled; through Joseph’s adoption the child belongs to the family of David. Matthew sees the virginal conception as the fulfillment of Is 7:14. (Matthew, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)
Eileen Burke-Sullivan shares a story of a friend and Jewish father who told her about his relationship with Abraham and his love for the wisdom of the tradition that handed down a deep care for and attendance upon family. Another night we spoke of King David who had a less than stellar relationship with his wives, but an unquenchable love for his children both the loyal and disloyal.
St. Joseph came from this tradition of faith and remembrance. God’s people are his “children” to be loved and cared for with every gift of his personality. God’s Fatherhood is perhaps most gently demonstrated in Joseph and his care for those he protects and guides according to the Jewish culture. He is willing to stand by and care for Mary and her child which was clearly a puzzlement for him – such faith in the faith of Abraham and David, and the faith of all fathers and husbands who take their role of protector, shepherd, guide and shelter seriously.
At a time when our world needs real fathers – men who care profoundly for the children, grand children and even great grandchildren this is a time when men can perform this most sacred human role for a world confused and angry about so much. Let’s look to men who honestly “father” their families and their neighbors’ families to bring peace and justice to a world hungry for such love. (Burke-Sullivan, 2009)
Don Schwager quotes “The character of Joseph,” from a homily by Bernard of Clairvaux, 1090-1153.
"Joseph's character and qualities can be deduced from the fact that God honored him with the title of father, and, although his doing so was a mere matter of convenience, this was what he was known as and believed to be. Joseph's own name, which as you know means "increase", supplies further indications. Call to mind the great patriarch of old who was sold into Egypt, and you will realize that it was not only his name that our saint received but also his chastity, innocence, and grace. His brothers' envy had caused the earlier Joseph to be sold and taken to Egypt, thus symbolizing the selling of Christ: the later Joseph carried Christ into Egypt, fleeing before Herod's envy... The first Joseph had the gift of interpreting dreams: the second was given a revelation of the divine plan and a share in its accomplishment. Joseph the patriarch stored up grain, not for himself but for all the people: our Joseph was given custody of the living bread from heaven to keep safe both for himself and the whole world. There is no doubt that the Joseph to whom the Savior's mother was engaged was a good and faithful man. He was, I say, the wise and faithful steward whom the Lord appointed to support his mother and care for himself in childhood, singling him out for his complete reliability to help him with his momentous plan." (Hom. 2 super Missus est, 11.16: PL 183, 69-70) (Schwager, 2009)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24 comments that God’s promises aren’t automatic guarantees. Because he gave us the great gift of free will, we need to cooperate with him to make sure those promises come to pass. And that’s where faith comes in—the faith of people like Abraham, David, and St. Joseph. These men didn’t always understand what God was asking of them, and they didn’t see his promises completely fulfilled in their lifetimes. But that didn’t keep them from trusting him and seeking to obey him. In Joseph’s case, that involved not just marrying Mary, but fleeing with his family to Egypt to escape Herod’s wrath, and then moving back to Nazareth when an angel told him to.
On this day when we honor St. Joseph, let’s thank him for being such a wonderful model of trust in God’s promises. Let’s also imitate his deep faith in God and willingness to take decisive action when the Lord calls us.
“Oh, St. Joseph, watchful Guardian of the Holy Family, pray for me and for all the Church! May we all follow your example of faith and trust in the Lord!” (Meditation on Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24, n.d.)
Pope Francis in America Magazine shares that Joseph, who is a carpenter from Nazareth and who trusts in God’s plan for his young fiancée and for himself, reminds the Church to keep her eyes on what the world deliberately ignores.
“Do not look so much at the things that the world praises, look into the corners, look in the shadows, look at the peripheries, at what the world does not want.” He reminds each of us to consider important what others discard. In this sense he is truly a master of the essential: he reminds us that what truly matters does not attract our attention, but requires patient discernment to be discovered and appreciated. To discover what matters. Let us ask him to intercede so that the whole Church may recover this insight, this ability to discern, this capacity to evaluate what is essential. Let us start again from Bethlehem, let us start again from Nazareth. (Francis, 2021)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the prophecy of Nathan that reveals a change from a charismatically chosen leader to the dynasty initiated by David. The righteousness of Abraham, based on the Law, is contrasted by the definition of Paul to the Romans of righteousness in justification by faith and compassion. Friar Jude reminds us of Joseph's faith as he responded to God’s plan by rejecting the Law concerning his acceptance of Mary and her Child for his care.
Barbara Holmes continues to share her experiences with everyday mysticism. She looks for the Divine Presence in all of life.
I hear mystery in drumming, in singing bowls, rattles, and in basic hymns, but that’s not the only place mysticism is found. Sacred texts of all faiths contain stories of wondrous happenings. In the Christian tradition we have virgin births, burning bushes not consumed, waters parting, healing, and prophetic leadership. Yet some Christians are nervous as to whether miracles are tied to faith! Miracles and mysteries can be extraordinary. They can be experienced by the entire community or as a vision or a dream for an individual. Today, we are not looking for colossal mysteries like the parting of the seas. We just want to tap into, or at least recognize, everyday mysticism. Our ancestors hosted this type of mysticism for ages, and we didn’t lose our connection to those many sources of wisdom until more recent generations when we decided that scientific verification and proof would be the only criteria by which we decide between reality and delusion. But we can make better decisions now. We can acknowledge the continued value of science as we explore our worlds and while we continue our dance with the mysteries of life. (Holmes, n.d.)
We ponder the message to us from people in Christian tradition, like Joseph, who accepted through faith, the mission to love and protect that contradicted culture and the Law.
References
Burke-Sullivan, E. (2009, June 3). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. YouTube: Home. Retrieved March 19, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/031924.html
Francis, P. (2021, November 17). Pope Francis: St. Joseph teaches us to love the people the world rejects. America Magazine. Retrieved March 19, 2024, from https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2021/11/17/pope-francis-audience-saint-joseph-2 41858
Holmes, B. (n.d.). The Mystics Who Surround Us. Wikipedia. Retrieved March 19, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-mystics-who-surround-us/
Matthew, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 19, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/1?
Meditation on Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved March 19, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/03/19/915834/
Psalms, PSALM 89 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 19, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/89?2
Romans, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 19, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/4?13
Schwager, D. (2009, June 3). Joseph Did as the Angel Commanded Him. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved March 19, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=mar19a
2 Samuel, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 19, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2samuel/7?4
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