The Faithful Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Readings: 1^st: 2 Sam 7:4-16; Ps: 88; 2^nd: Rom 4.13-22; Gos: Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a

This brief reflection was written by Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp., DMin. He is a Catholic Priest and a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans). He is a missionary in Puerto Rico. He is the Parish Priest of Parroquia la Resurrección del Senor, Canóvanas, and the Major Superior of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans), Circumscription of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Fr. Canice is a member of the Academy of Homiletics. For more details and comments contact him at: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

(Donate @ATH Móvil: Canice Njoku)

(https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8452-8392)

Today the church celebrates the solemnity of a great figure who played a very important role in the history of our salvation by being faithful to his call. He is for us, both a symbol and model of a true Christian father. We do not hear his voice anywhere where in the gospel. Yet, his impact and mission were great.

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He was chosen by God to be the foster-father of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the Spouse of Our Lady. All of our readings on this this solemnity draw our attention to the enduring nature of the covenant between God and His People.

Today’s first reading is about the Davidic covenant through which God made a promise of a dynasty to David his servant. Most importantly, this was to be fulfilled though his offspring. So, the mission of Joseph was a great one. He participated in God’s salvific mission.

So, today what we celebrate is fidelity to vocation. Today’s Gospels (Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a) tells us that Joseph was a “just” man. He gave everything for God’s mission. He gave Mary and Christ his life, his love, his tenderness and his time. He protected them with his strong arms. He was faithful till the end.

He was faithful to God and said yes to God’s plan for him to be Mary’s husband and Jesus’ foster father. He was devoted to Mary, caring for her while they waited for her baby to be born. He was faithful to Jesus, protecting him when he learned of King Herod’s plan to kill him and, when the danger passed, helping Mary to raise Jesus with love in Nazareth.

Sant Joseph was a man with a very resilient spirit, and a firm faith in God. In spite of his difficult mission, he neither complained nor was distressed in the midst of trials and tribulations. He knew how to resolve the difficulties of life with internal calmness and serenity, he did this with complete faith and total submission to God’s will.

Saint Joseph is the patron of all Christian fathers, spouses, priests and seminarians. He is the patron of the universal Church. Above all, is the “Master of Interior Life.” Through his silent lifestyle he teaches us how to love God faithfully, and to love Christ and Our Lady tenderly..

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha!