TUESDAY MARCH 19, 2024
TUESDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF LENT B
SOLEMNITY OF ST JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
2 Samuel 7:4-5,12-14, 16
Romans 4:13.16-18.22
Matthew 1:16.18-21.24
SAINT JOSEPH, A JUST MAN, FILLED WITH FAITH AND DEVOTION.
From the 8th of December 2020, until the 8th of December 2021, as declared by Pope Francis we celebrated the year of Saint Joseph. This was a great opportunity to relive the memory of Saint Joseph with the intention of imitating and following his unique virtues. It is a recognition of the immense role and value of the great man Joseph in the history of man’s salvation.
Certain unique qualities made saint Joseph exemplary in life and mission as a true model to be honoured and imitated. Apart from the very fact that he was very close to his foster son, our redeemer Jesus Christ whom he loved and took special care of during Jesus’ earthly life and sojourn, Saint Joseph also played a central role in the life of Christ. He was a quiet, dedicated and faith filled person who accepted the will and design of God without questioning. He understood very quickly what God desired of him and he gave his all to it.
Accepting to be the father of Jesus was one thing that many men would have outrightly rejected since it touches on their integrity and pride as fully grown and matured person who have their life plan and desires. Yet, St Joseph submitted in humility to God’s design and gave his all to it.
In his role as a husband of Mary, Joseph was not wanting neither did he play the role of a father in sorrow. He was a loving husband to Mary and took care of Mary with such carefulness and love, dedication and sincerity. His devotion is even more telling when he was with Mary in the manger at the birth of Jesus. Then his sojourn with Jesus and Mary in the land of Egypt when the child was being sought to be killed. And finally, the scriptures records also that Joseph search for the child with much devotion at the temple in Jerusalem when Jesus stayed back.
As a Father to Jesus, Joseph was a true shepherd and guardian. He protected the life of Jesus and preserved him from being killed or annihilated. He cared for the child and that earned Jesus as the son of a carpenter. His closeness to Jesus, his care of this child would have brought about the title of Jesus adding to his name, the son of a carpenter.
As we celebrate the solemnity of St. Joseph, the church reminds us of his invaluable role in the history of our salvation and more importantly the church wants us to emulate his virtues of faith, devotion, humility and dedication to God and attending to the will and designs of God at all times.
We are also reminded that he is our great intercession, always pleading our cause. The church recognizes this role and have placed his name in the canons and Eucharistic prayers of the Church as our great intercessor.
As we celebrate him today as we do annually, let us imitate his goodness, his love of God, his devotion to faith and his humility in service and life.
God our Father, your raised Saint Joseph to be a humble servant, devoted Father and faithful husband. Help us to learn, imitation and imbibe his virtues of humility he lived, the dedication to faith, acceptance to serve the cause of salvation and total giving of ourselves to the ordinances, designs and things of God. Through Christ our Lord.
Fr Norbert Uchuno
