Today is March 19, the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
We hear at today’s Mass, “Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly” (Mt 1:19).
St. Joseph is a quiet and discerning man in the bible. He does not receive an announcement from the angel Gabriel and give his consent, like Mary. He does not always understand what is happening in the moment, requiring great discernment on his part.
God simply chooses Joseph, a just and righteous man. Joseph finds himself in the middle of an adventure unfolding before his eyes. In silence, he discerns what God is doing and his place in this divine plan of salvation.
The Gospel today tells us of Joseph’s quiet discernment. His betrothed, who is pure and holy, has conceived a child–and he is not the father. St. Joseph knows that something divine must be afoot, but he does not completely understand. So, the most righteous thing this just man can do is dismiss her quietly.
Seeing ourselves in St. Joseph
We can each see ourselves in the same position as St. Joseph. More often than not, we find ourselves in situations that we cannot understand. Yet, we know that God is at work. It can be hard to reconcile God’s providence and plan with what we see unfolding before us. So much remains hidden from our eyes and intellects, but faith tells us to trust nonetheless.
Staying silent and entrusting the paradoxes and tensions we see over to God is the lesson we learn from St. Joseph. Action is still necessary and we must act as best we can. St. Joseph teaches us that all is revealed by God according to his good timing.
Let us pray,
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that by Saint Joseph’s intercession your Church may constantly watch over the unfolding of the mysteries of human salvation, whose beginnings you entrusted to his faithful care. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
