Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Additional Information about St. Joseph[1],
Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Readings for the Solemnity of Saint Joseph[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: 2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16
But that night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said:
"Go, tell my servant David,
'And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors,
I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins,
and I will make his kingdom firm.
It is he who shall build a house for my name.
And I will make his royal throne firm forever.
I will be a father to him,
and he shall be a son to me.
Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.'"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on 2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16
Within the historical books of the Old Testament (1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, 1 and 2 Maccabees), this passage is considered to have the most theological significance. Nathan’s Oracle – the establishment of the dynasty of King David marks the beginning of the understanding of royal messianism, our first hint of the Messiah to come.
In this passage, Nathan is told by God to tell David that, while he would not build the Temple, his son (Solomon) would and that his (David’s) line would continue; “Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm[4]: Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29
R. (37) The son of David will live for ever.
The promises of the Lord I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness,
For you have said, "My kindness is established forever";
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
R. The son of David will live for ever.
"I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant:
Forever will I confirm your posterity
and establish your throne for all generations."
R. The son of David will live for ever.
"He shall say of me, 'You are my father,
my God, the Rock, my savior.'
Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,
and my covenant with him stands firm."
R. The son of David will live for ever.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29
Though Psalm 89 is a lament, this first section is prophetic and reiterates the Davidic Dynasty. The intended support for the Samuel reading above is clear.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reading II: Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22
It was not through the law
that the promise was made to Abraham and his descendants
that he would inherit the world,
but through the righteousness that comes from faith.
For this reason, it depends on faith,
so that it may be a gift,
and the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants,
not to those who only adhere to the law
but to those who follow the faith of Abraham,
who is the father of all of us, as it is written,
I have made you father of many nations.
He is our father in the sight of God,
in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead
and calls into being what does not exist.
He believed, hoping against hope,
that he would become the father of many nations,
according to what was said, Thus shall your descendants be.
That is why it was credited to him as righteousness.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Rom 4:13, 16-18, 22
In this address to the Romans, St. Paul reconciles Jewish History as it applies to gentiles. By defining God’s people as the descendants of Abraham, he includes all peoples in the inheritance of Christ. This reconciliation is through faith not the Law of Moses and not simply heritage.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a
Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.
Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
"Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins."
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a
This section of the Nativity Narrative from St. Matthew’s Gospel tells the story of Joseph’s dilemma. He is required by Mosaic Law to file a petition of divorce in front of witnesses. He has resigned himself to this course of action when he has a dream in which an angel came to him and told him of the origins of the child Mary bore. For his part, Joseph accepted the message and did as the Lord commanded.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Or: Luke 2:41-51a
Each year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover,
and when he was twelve years old,
they went up according to festival custom.
After they had completed its days, as they were returning,
the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem,
but his parents did not know it.
Thinking that he was in the caravan,
they journeyed for a day
and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances,
but not finding him,
they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.
After three days they found him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the teachers,
listening to them and asking them questions,
and all who heard him were astounded
at his understanding and his answers.
When his parents saw him,
they were astonished,
and his mother said to him,
"Son, why have you done this to us?
Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety."
And he said to them,
"Why were you looking for me?
Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"
But they did not understand what he said to them.
He went down with them and came to Nazareth,
and was obedient to them.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Lk 2:41-51a
From the Gospel of St. Luke we have the story of Jesus in the Temple. It is significant from a number of perspectives. First the story breaks the scriptural silence regarding the “lost years” of Jesus’ growth from infancy to adulthood. This story says Jesus is twelve, that would be the time when he would have celebrated his bar miswah, he would have been considered a man.
This story is at odds with the Apocryphal Gospels (such as the Gospel of St. Thomas) that attributed to Jesus many miracles during his early years, this story paints his childhood as fairly normal, the implication based on Joseph and Mary’s reaction is that they, at this point, do not completely understand their son’s mission.
With reference to St. Joseph, this passage is the first time God is identified as the Father of Jesus, not Joseph. It is also the last time in scripture he is referenced. He does, however receive a great tribute as the Lord Jesus returns home with him and is obedient to him (“He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them”).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
One of the things that sets Catholics apart from our protestant brethren is we have a strong affinity to the saints. Many of those from these various denominations have a difficult time understanding our devotion to the saints. They seem to see us praying to graven images or icons instead of our real intent which of course is asking for intercession. If asked; “Why do you pray to Mary (or Joseph, or Cyril, etc.)” our answer must be; “We don’t. We pray for them to intercede for us, but we pray only to God through Christ.”
This concept is not foreign to our protestant brothers and sisters. Any one who believes a loved one has gone on from this life to the next at some time looks heaven-ward and say something like “Mom, talk to God for me. Would you?” The prayer is not to “Mom” it is hoped that, because that loved one is in the heavenly kingdom already, they may be able to help with our cause. The same is true for those of us who are devoted to the Saints.
We look to the Saints for a couple of reasons. The first of these is for the reason I mentioned above, intercession. We believe that people recognized by the Church in special way who are like all the faithful departed in the Communion of Saints have a special place in heaven (this is supported by scripture). And because of their unique status, having places of honor in the Kingdom of Heaven, they are in a position to petition God the Father on our behalf. We believe this to be so because one of the attributes of the Saints is they were some of the best examples of how a person might live a life of faith, and a big part of that faith is compassion and love for all humankind.
The second reason we have such reverence for the Saints is they provide us with examples of faith that are real to us. We can understand a St. Joseph whose principle merit was he provided a human father figure for Jesus the boy/man as he grew up. That sacrifice and love earned him a special place in the heart of the Church and a special significance for all fathers who adopt children or provide that role for them without a biological connection.
We conclude with a wonderful thought passed on to us by Pope John Paul the Great. Here is what he said of St. Joseph in his Daily Meditations; “What emanates from the figure of Saint Joseph is faith. Joseph of Nazareth is a "just man" because he totally "lives by faith." He is holy because his faith is truly heroic.” And we, whose faith is often challenged, need heroes.
Pax.
[1] The picture used is “St. Joseph and the Infant Jesus” by Guido Reni, 1635
[2] ALTRE
[3] Text of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana
[4] Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
Additional Information about St. Joseph[1],
Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Readings for the Solemnity of Saint Joseph[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: 2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16
But that night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said:
"Go, tell my servant David,
'And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors,
I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins,
and I will make his kingdom firm.
It is he who shall build a house for my name.
And I will make his royal throne firm forever.
I will be a father to him,
and he shall be a son to me.
Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.'"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on 2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16
Within the historical books of the Old Testament (1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, 1 and 2 Maccabees), this passage is considered to have the most theological significance. Nathan’s Oracle – the establishment of the dynasty of King David marks the beginning of the understanding of royal messianism, our first hint of the Messiah to come.
In this passage, Nathan is told by God to tell David that, while he would not build the Temple, his son (Solomon) would and that his (David’s) line would continue; “Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm[4]: Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29
R. (37) The son of David will live for ever.
The promises of the Lord I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness,
For you have said, "My kindness is established forever";
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
R. The son of David will live for ever.
"I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant:
Forever will I confirm your posterity
and establish your throne for all generations."
R. The son of David will live for ever.
"He shall say of me, 'You are my father,
my God, the Rock, my savior.'
Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,
and my covenant with him stands firm."
R. The son of David will live for ever.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29
Though Psalm 89 is a lament, this first section is prophetic and reiterates the Davidic Dynasty. The intended support for the Samuel reading above is clear.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reading II: Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22
It was not through the law
that the promise was made to Abraham and his descendants
that he would inherit the world,
but through the righteousness that comes from faith.
For this reason, it depends on faith,
so that it may be a gift,
and the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants,
not to those who only adhere to the law
but to those who follow the faith of Abraham,
who is the father of all of us, as it is written,
I have made you father of many nations.
He is our father in the sight of God,
in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead
and calls into being what does not exist.
He believed, hoping against hope,
that he would become the father of many nations,
according to what was said, Thus shall your descendants be.
That is why it was credited to him as righteousness.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Rom 4:13, 16-18, 22
In this address to the Romans, St. Paul reconciles Jewish History as it applies to gentiles. By defining God’s people as the descendants of Abraham, he includes all peoples in the inheritance of Christ. This reconciliation is through faith not the Law of Moses and not simply heritage.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a
Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.
Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
"Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins."
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a
This section of the Nativity Narrative from St. Matthew’s Gospel tells the story of Joseph’s dilemma. He is required by Mosaic Law to file a petition of divorce in front of witnesses. He has resigned himself to this course of action when he has a dream in which an angel came to him and told him of the origins of the child Mary bore. For his part, Joseph accepted the message and did as the Lord commanded.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Or: Luke 2:41-51a
Each year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover,
and when he was twelve years old,
they went up according to festival custom.
After they had completed its days, as they were returning,
the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem,
but his parents did not know it.
Thinking that he was in the caravan,
they journeyed for a day
and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances,
but not finding him,
they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.
After three days they found him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the teachers,
listening to them and asking them questions,
and all who heard him were astounded
at his understanding and his answers.
When his parents saw him,
they were astonished,
and his mother said to him,
"Son, why have you done this to us?
Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety."
And he said to them,
"Why were you looking for me?
Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"
But they did not understand what he said to them.
He went down with them and came to Nazareth,
and was obedient to them.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Lk 2:41-51a
From the Gospel of St. Luke we have the story of Jesus in the Temple. It is significant from a number of perspectives. First the story breaks the scriptural silence regarding the “lost years” of Jesus’ growth from infancy to adulthood. This story says Jesus is twelve, that would be the time when he would have celebrated his bar miswah, he would have been considered a man.
This story is at odds with the Apocryphal Gospels (such as the Gospel of St. Thomas) that attributed to Jesus many miracles during his early years, this story paints his childhood as fairly normal, the implication based on Joseph and Mary’s reaction is that they, at this point, do not completely understand their son’s mission.
With reference to St. Joseph, this passage is the first time God is identified as the Father of Jesus, not Joseph. It is also the last time in scripture he is referenced. He does, however receive a great tribute as the Lord Jesus returns home with him and is obedient to him (“He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them”).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
One of the things that sets Catholics apart from our protestant brethren is we have a strong affinity to the saints. Many of those from these various denominations have a difficult time understanding our devotion to the saints. They seem to see us praying to graven images or icons instead of our real intent which of course is asking for intercession. If asked; “Why do you pray to Mary (or Joseph, or Cyril, etc.)” our answer must be; “We don’t. We pray for them to intercede for us, but we pray only to God through Christ.”
This concept is not foreign to our protestant brothers and sisters. Any one who believes a loved one has gone on from this life to the next at some time looks heaven-ward and say something like “Mom, talk to God for me. Would you?” The prayer is not to “Mom” it is hoped that, because that loved one is in the heavenly kingdom already, they may be able to help with our cause. The same is true for those of us who are devoted to the Saints.
We look to the Saints for a couple of reasons. The first of these is for the reason I mentioned above, intercession. We believe that people recognized by the Church in special way who are like all the faithful departed in the Communion of Saints have a special place in heaven (this is supported by scripture). And because of their unique status, having places of honor in the Kingdom of Heaven, they are in a position to petition God the Father on our behalf. We believe this to be so because one of the attributes of the Saints is they were some of the best examples of how a person might live a life of faith, and a big part of that faith is compassion and love for all humankind.
The second reason we have such reverence for the Saints is they provide us with examples of faith that are real to us. We can understand a St. Joseph whose principle merit was he provided a human father figure for Jesus the boy/man as he grew up. That sacrifice and love earned him a special place in the heart of the Church and a special significance for all fathers who adopt children or provide that role for them without a biological connection.
We conclude with a wonderful thought passed on to us by Pope John Paul the Great. Here is what he said of St. Joseph in his Daily Meditations; “What emanates from the figure of Saint Joseph is faith. Joseph of Nazareth is a "just man" because he totally "lives by faith." He is holy because his faith is truly heroic.” And we, whose faith is often challenged, need heroes.
Pax.
[1] The picture used is “St. Joseph and the Infant Jesus” by Guido Reni, 1635
[2] ALTRE
[3] Text of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana
[4] Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
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