Today we celebrate the "just man" whose faith made the Incarnation possible. The readings trace the promise made to David to its f...
Today we celebrate the "just man" whose faith made the Incarnation possible. The readings trace the promise made to David to its fulfillment in Joseph, the son of David, who, against all human logic, believed and became the guardian of the Savior.
Saint Joseph never speaks a word in the Gospels, yet his life is a loud proclamation of what it means to be a man of God.
Surrender. Joseph had his own plans, his own reputation, and his own fears. When he discovered Mary was with child, he sought to do the "just" thing quietly. But when the Angel spoke in a dream, Joseph practiced total surrender. He let go of his right to understand everything. Real faith isn't having all the answers; it’s surrendering our "right to know" in exchange for the "peace of God." Joseph teaches us that God’s plan is always better than our best-laid plans.
Stewardship. God entrusted Joseph with His two greatest treasures: Jesus and Mary. Joseph lived a life of stewardship, not ownership. He was the "guardian," the protector, the one who provided by the sweat of his brow. He reminds us that everything we have—our families, our talents, our lives—is a gift entrusted to us by God. We are called to be faithful stewards, holding our lives with open hands and protecting the "Christ" that lives in those around us.
Shadow. A spiritual writer once called Joseph the "Shadow of the Heavenly Father." On earth, Jesus learned what it meant to be called "Son" by watching Joseph. What a profound vocation! Joseph’s holiness was found in the ordinary—in the carpentry shop, in the quiet of the night, in the daily commute to Egypt. He shows us that we don't need to do "great things" to be saints; we just need to do "ordinary things" with a shadow-like fidelity to the Father’s will.
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