He did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary | USCCB

Today we celebrate the solemnity of St. Joseph. It was in the 16^th century that the church recognized devotion to him and considered him as “provider and protector” of the Holy Family. And it was in 1870 that Pope Pius IX declared his feast day to be on March 19^th. This is one of two feasts for St. Joseph. The other is on May 1^st where he is called St. Joseph the Worker.

In our gospel for today, we hear St. Joseph described as a “righteous man.” He was a devout Jew, always attempting to do what he felt God was calling him to do according to Jewish Law. Much to his surprise, he finds out that Mary, before they lived together, was with child. This, I’m sure, caused him great anxiety. He knew he wasn’t the father, but he also didn’t want Mary hurt in any way. So out of love for Mary he decided to divorce her quietly.

Joseph, always open to God’s Will in his life, then hears the message of God though the angel in his dream that it was through the power of the Holy Spirit that Mary has conceived the Lord in her womb. Joseph, obedient to God’s Will, takes Mary as his wife and cares for her and Jesus through those difficult early years of the Lord’s childhood.

We are called to imitate Joseph in our lives. We are to always be open to God’s will even when things seem difficult or hard to understand. Joseph, like Mary, said yes to being part of God’s plan of salvation. He was called to be provider and protector.

We, too, are called to being part of God’s plan of salvation by being followers of Jesus Christ. We ae called to not only praise and worship him in our prayers, but we are called to bring the love of Jesus to all we meet in our lives. We are to be open to God’s promptings through the reading of Scripture and through the frequent reception of Holy Communion at Mass and the frequent use of Confession in order to receive the forgiveness of God. It is then that we can be able to hear the voice of God in our lives, and to bring the Lord to those who we care for.