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Meditation: Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24

Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him. (Matthew 1:24)

Can you imagine a bumper sticker that says: My son is the Savior of the universe?

It’s not uncommon for people to want to brag about their children or grandchildren. With social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter, bumper-sticker magnets, and custom T-shirts, people are finding more and more ways to show off every step or accomplishment of the kids that God has blessed them with.

Being proud of our children or grandchildren is a natural expression of love. We are often so amazed at the gifts that God has given them and the joy they bring to our lives that it’s hard not to tell people about the great things they do. Yet there can be a fine line between rejoicing in God’s goodness and prideful boasting. It can be hard at times to discern how much is too much.

But what if you knew that your child was the Messiah, the Son of God sent to redeem all people from sin? Wouldn’t you have a tough time not bragging just a little bit?

On this feast day of St. Joseph, take a moment to think about this man’s deep humility. Matthew’s Gospel tells us that Joseph was a “righteous man” (Matthew 1:19). Still, it must have taken an amazing amount of self-discipline not to brag about his boy. It must have taken a heroic amount of humility not to use Jesus’ special status to explain why he was going ahead with his marriage to Mary after it was discovered that she was pregnant. He knew that Jesus was the Son of God: the shepherds, Wise Men, and Simeon in the Temple all confirmed it. But Joseph never tried to hold Jesus apart from the rest of humanity.

Today, thank God for the good things that he has given you, especially your family. Make sure that you take the time to show them your love and your pride in seeing God’s goodness in them. Mirror God’s delight in them, and help them see how God wants to use them to change the world.

“Lord, give me the humble, righteous heart of St. Joseph. Help me to love and appreciate the people you have entrusted to me and to guide them wisely onto your path.”

2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16; Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29; Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22

A Christian Pilgrim

GOD CHOSE A SIMPLE CARPENTER [MATTHEW 1:16,18-21,24]

(Solemnity: St. Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

Always working in wonderful and mysterious ways, God chose a simple carpenter to be the foster father for His eternal Son. How can this be? A mere man, charged with the upbringing of the Son of God? Much of this is mystery, but we do know that when God calls someone to do something, He pours upon them all the grace they need for the task.

Joseph was a man of mature faith who trusted in the Lord. Silent though he was, his actions speak more loudly than all the sermons, exhortations, and philosophizing of Christian history. At the beginning of Jesus’ life, when our redemption was about to occur, we read about one man whose strength, trust, and humility stand as a sign of the new creation that Jesus would make possible for all of us through His cross.

God spoke to Joseph through an angel in dreams, and every time Joseph heard from the angel, he promptly followed God’s directives (Matthew 1:20-24;2:1-23). The situations Joseph faced were difficult. On the angel’s first visit, God told Joseph of Mary’s miraculous conception and that he should not fear taking her as his wife. Surely, he must have been tempted to doubt or to be concerned about what others might think or say. But, without asking for further understanding – without a single question – Joseph acted decisively.

Like Joseph, we too are called to be generous receivers of God’s grace, His power which enables us to obey Him. Let us open ourselves to God’s will. We can hear Him speak to us in prayer, as we read scripture, and while participating in the liturgy. Sometimes our situations will be difficult and we may be tempted to doubt God. But, we all have the Holy Spirit, who loves to instruct us in the ways of the Lord. When we do God’s will, our faith, hope, and intimacy with God mature, and we become more able to do the works He prepared for us.