Solemnity of St. Joseph, Saturday – 19th March 2022 – Matthew 1, 16.18-21
Priority of Vocation before Career
Joseph is addressed as son of Jacob, husband of Mary and son of David, which are referred only once in this passage and nowhere in the whole Gospel. Joseph, the righteous man, is introduced as ‘son of Jacob and husband of Mary’. As “son of Jacob”, Joseph wished to follow the law but out of love for Mary, chose to quietly divorce her, without public accusation, trail, punishment and shame. At this juncture, the angel evokes the messianic prophecies of the future king and addresses Joseph as “son of David”. This title, which is attributed to Jesus many times, is addressed also to his adoptive father Joseph. With this title, the angel teaches him to take the responsibility of legal paternity and to own up his royal heritage. As “son of David”, he takes Mary as wife, names his messianic child and passes on the David descent to Jesus. The revelation in his dream cut short one painful choice and presented him with the choice to cooperate with the inconceivable grace of God. Since he surrendered to fulfill God’s will, his life entered into the cosmic drama of God’s redemptive plan. He becomes a specially chosen one like Mary, for whenever the divine favour chooses someone to receive a special grace, or to accept a lofty vocation, God adorns the person chosen with all the gifts of the Spirit needed to fulfill the task at hand. Indeed, for Joseph God’s wish forcibly changes human plan, but never abandons, for it ever strengthens him with His grace.
