The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, invite us to learn from the faith and compassion of Joseph in our relationships.
The reading from the Second Letter of Samuel presents 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.
(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). (Psalms, PSALM 89 | USCCB, n.d.)
The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans declares God’s Promise 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.)
The Gospel of Matthew presents the Birth of Jesus, the Messiah.
* [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.
* [1:18] Betrothed to Joseph: betrothal was the first part of the marriage, constituting a man and woman as husband and wife. Subsequent infidelity was considered adultery. The betrothal was followed some months later by the husband’s taking his wife into his home, at which time normal married life began.
* [1:19] A righteous man: as a devout observer of the Mosaic law, Joseph wished to break his union with someone whom he suspected of gross violation of the law. It is commonly said that the law required him to do so, but the texts usually given in support of that view, e.g., Dt 22:20–21 do not clearly pertain to Joseph’s situation. Unwilling to expose her to shame: the penalty for proved adultery was death by stoning; cf. Dt 22:21–23.
* [1:20] The angel of the Lord: in the Old Testament a common designation of God in communication with a human being. In a dream: see Mt 2:13, 19, 22. These dreams may be meant to recall the dreams of Joseph, son of Jacob the patriarch (Gn 37:5–11, 19). A closer parallel is the dream of Amram, father of Moses, related by Josephus (Antiquities 2, 9, 3; (par.) 212, 215–16).
* [1:21] Jesus: in first-century Judaism the Hebrew name Joshua (Greek Iēsous) meaning “Yahweh helps” was interpreted as “Yahweh saves.”
* [1:23] God is with us: God’s promise of deliverance to Judah in Isaiah’s time is seen by Matthew as fulfilled in the birth of Jesus, in whom God is with his people. The name Emmanuel is alluded to at the end of the gospel where the risen Jesus assures his disciples of his continued presence, “…I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Mt 28:20).
* [1:25] Until she bore a son: the evangelist is concerned to emphasize that Joseph was not responsible for the conception of Jesus. The Greek word translated “until” does not imply normal marital conduct after Jesus’ birth, nor does it exclude it. (Matthew, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)
Elvin Cardoso, S.J. comments that Mary was told that she would conceive the Son of God through the Holy Spirit, and she humbly accepted this divine calling. But how could she explain such a miraculous and bewildering situation to Joseph?
Joseph’s response is a powerful example of his unwavering trust in God. Though he didn’t have all the answers, he trusted in God’s plan. He surrendered his understanding, believing that God would guide him through the unknown.
As we reflect during this Lenten season, let us pray for a heart that trusts God’s will, even when it seems beyond our comprehension. May we, like Joseph, embrace God's plans with courage, faith, and gratitude, knowing that His wisdom far exceeds our own. (Cardoso, n.d.)
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, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24 comments that St. Joseph shows us that fear doesn’t have to paralyze us or dictate our decisions. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed and afraid, especially when the Lord asks us to step out in faith. But even if God doesn’t take away our fears, he will help us respond to his call—whatever that might be—with trust.
Today in prayer, reflect on what you might be fearful of. Whatever it is, know that God doesn’t condemn you for feeling that way. But if it’s keeping you from moving ahead in some way, ask him to set you free so you can act in spite of your fears. Just as he was with Joseph, God is with you. He will always be at your side to help you, no matter what situation you find yourself in!
“St. Joseph, pray that I may be as courageous as you were.” (Meditation on Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the response in the Davidic Oracle when David goes to Nathan offering to build a house for the Lord and is rejected in view of his arrogance. David will mark the end of charismatic selection of leadership. In Romans, Paul connects followers of Christ as belonging to the many nations promised as descendants of Abraham through faith. Friar Jude reminds us of the connection of righteousness to compassion as Joseph decides after a dream to take Mary as his wife.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces theologian Christine Pohl who reflects on the biblical call to hospitality.
The practice of hospitality is important for communities as they reach out to others and as they work to strengthen their internal relationships. A community is also important for the practice of hospitality. Those who welcome strangers from within a community can find friends with whom to share the work and the blessing, help in maintaining perspective, and opportunities for rest and renewal. [1] (Rohr, n.d.)
Preacher-activist Sandra Maria Van Opstal encourages the church to expand hospitality from something we do to an expression of who we are:
What is this shift, this journey from doing to being? It involves a deepening relationship with both the Holy Spirit and people who may not look like us or share our experiences. Shifting our focus from doing to being allows us to become more fully the community that Scripture calls us to be. Though we may begin with hospitality, where we are saying “we welcome you,” Scripture calls us to journey from that place, through a place of solidarity (“we stand with you”), and ultimately to mutuality (“we need you”), where we comprehend just how deeply the global community of Jesus followers need each other in order to be the people of God we are called by Scripture to be…. (Rohr, n.d.)
We ponder our openness to the prompts of the Spirit to act with compassion to protect family and our companions on our journey.
References
Cardoso, E. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved March 19, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/031925.html
Matthew, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 19, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/1?16
Meditation on Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved March 19, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/03/19/1229216/
Psalms, PSALM 89 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Reading. Retrieved March 19, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/89?2
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Hospitality: A Holy Practice. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved March 19, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/hospitality-a-holy-practice/
Romans, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 25, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/4?13
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Joseph Did as the Angel Commanded Him. Daily Scripture net. https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=mar19a
2 Samuel, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 19, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2samuel/7?4
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