Solemnity of St. Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Today's Mass Readings

We celebrate today the Solemnity of St. Joseph, the husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus. Today there are two options for our Gospel, and I will use both to help us reflect on the great gift of St. Joseph, the patron of the universal church and father figure to us all.

We see in our Gospels that St. Joseph was a righteous man and a man of compassion; he was humble, faithful, and obedient to God’s will. He was righteous and compassionate because of his care for Mary, even when it seemed like she had betrayed him and was found to be with child before they lived together. Instead of exposing her to shame, even despite his own shame and pain, he decided to divorce her quietly to protect her; he did not let anger or embarrassment control his actions but acted in love and compassion. He showed obedience and humility by how he responded to the angel who came to him in the dream. He didn’t doubt but had the humility to trust and, “he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.” He humbly and with quiet strength, love, and care, embraced his new calling with zeal and faithfulness.

We turn to St. Joseph as our guide and example and ask his prayers so that we too might be righteous, compassionate, and be humble and obedient to God’s will in our lives.

Reflection by Br. Placid Dale, OSB