Today is the Feast Day of St. Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On Dec. 8, 2020, Pope Francis instituted this year 2021 as the Year of St. Joseph and so it takes on special significance. The occasion is the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of St. Joseph as patron of the Universal Church, declared by Pope Pius IX in 1870. Of course, we know that he is also the patron of Canada. I hope you had a chance during the Novena to read Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letterabout St. Joseph, Patris Corde, (With a Father’s Heart). He has many good insights.
In our Novena these days, we reflected on aspects of Joseph’s life – the Genealogy, the Betrothal, the Annunciation to Joseph, the Nativity, the Naming, the Presentation, the Flight to Egypt, the Child in the Temple, the Death of St. Joseph.
But when we think of Joseph, it is usually his faith that we celebrate: but we also remember his courage and, yes, his silence. He has no words in Scripture, but his actions are many, all of them rooted in faith – faith in God, faith in God’s promises, faith in himself, in his role as Jesus’ father, faith in his wife, faith in his Son. God’s communication with Joseph was through dreams, but when the dreams seemed to fade, he had to rely on his faith, and let that faith feed his courage.
There are two Gospel readings offered today, both of which give us insights into this man who played an important role in salvation history. Pope Francis writes, “Joseph was the man chosen by God to guide the beginnings of the history of redemption. He was the true ‘miracle’ by which God saves the child and his mother. God acted by trusting in Joseph’s creative courage.”
In the Gospel of Matthew, we hear everyday words describing Joseph as Mary’s husband, simple, normal words describing a relationship we are so familiar with. Yet an angel had appeared to Joseph in a dream, allaying his fears and his plans to divorce Mary, and he woke with new determination and probably deeper peace.
In the second Gospel choice (Luke), we get that glimpse into the Holy Family that makes the three members of that family so akin to us. First, Joseph and Mary are called Jesus’ parents. To all those watching, that is what they are, simply parents, not saints or anyone special. As parents, they go from fear and anxiety over losing their son to being “astonished” by his actions. And remember Mary’s words: “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” That’s how she viewed Joseph, a father. Once again, Joseph must rely on his faith. Faith that he is doing the right thing by taking Jesus home and continuing to be a father to his son even though he knows things are changing. Joseph was a righteous person and as Paul says in the second reading, from Romans, “righteousness … comes from faith.”
I am proud to have Joseph as my Baptismal name. I am proud that he is the patron of my country. I am excited to read Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter and learn more about this special man in my life, and to reflect on the courage of is his faith and his fatherhood.