Fresh Dew Media

 Solemnity of St Joseph (March 19): reflection

THEME: LEARNING FROM ST JOSEPH

Reading: Mt 1:16,18-21,24a

 

Today, the Church celebrates the solemnity of St Joseph, the foster father of Jesus and the Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He is also the Patron of the Universal Church.

What we know about St Joseph has some lessons for us. Let us briefly state few of them.

In all the stories surrounding the birth and early childhood of Jesus where Joseph played active roles, it was not recorded that Joseph uttered a word. Yet, all those stories depicted him as a man full of humility, attentiveness to God and to his family and unflinching obedience to God’s will even when God’s will was not understood by him and the times it caused him great discomfort. These are qualities that all family leaders must possess if they want their families to reflect love, peace, unity and other good virtues.

Did you notice how St Joseph handled his family problem in the gospel of today? In this gospel passage, we were told that when Joseph discovered that the lady (Mary) betrothed to him was with child, and knowing fully well that he was not responsible for that pregnancy, he did not do what the law required of him. The law required him to shame Mary by publicly renouncing her and submitting her to face justice. Joseph did not do any of these, he, rather, opted to treat Mary with compassion by deciding to send her away secretly; he didn’t want her to be shamed, he didn’t want her to face public ridicule.

One of the reasons why many families are breaking down these days is because the couples inside them are behaving like information ministers or megaphones; what gives them joy is making their partners’ mistakes a topic of discussion with friends and anyone who will care to listen. Such people simply can’t wait for mistakes to drop down in their matrimonial homes and BOOM, everybody will hear it. Joseph invites couples to make room for patience, compassion, mercy, tolerance, empathy and silence when it is needed in their marriages.

Also, in a world where shaming people has become the hobby of many people, the action of Joseph leaves us an example to follow. It teaches us to treat those we feel have offended us with compassion, just as God treats us sinners. Joseph invites us to always listen to the voice of compassion and mercy in the treatment of those we feel have made mistakes in their lives, rather that listening to the vicious voice that tells us to drag them out, tell horrible stories about them and shame them.

May St Joseph pray for us. Amen.

Fr Isaac Chima