Daily Divine Word:
March 19, 26 – Thursday, Fourth Week of Lent: Joseph - Extraordinary in the ordinary
Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16; Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22, Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a
We celebrate the solemnity of Saint Joseph, the husband of Blessed Virgin Mary. Joseph is one of the biblical characters that I admire and appreciate. God chooses him to be the foster of His only son. I would like to reflect on Joseph as a father. He is a father who powerfully resonates in each of us.
Extraordinary in the ordinary: Joseph is a special person. He is always in the shade yet stands out. He is silent yet powerful. His silence speaks louder than words. He does not have spectacular events attached to him. He is not beheaded like John the Baptist or crucified like Peter. We do not have words recorded as spoken by him. The gospel tells us that the Lord spoke to him four times in dreams and we read in the gospel that he spoke the word ‘Jesus’- you will call his name Jesus. Joseph is quietly himself. He is very ordinary and his ordinary makes him extraordinary. Joseph is so ordinary that as Pope Francis said, he is so close to own experiences (Patric Corde).
A Diligent Father: Joseph was engaged to a village girl and suddenly his life took an awesome turn. Mary is found pregnant and Joseph is to take up the surrogate/foster fatherhood of God’s son. His ordinary plans of marriage took an extraordinary depth. He handled the crisis diligently. He had to flee to Egypt – he handled the situation prudently. Joseph guided and formed the boy Jesus in religious customs and practices of his society. He taught Jesus the carpentry, the boy Jesus worked beside Joseph, listening and learning from him. Joseph not only made tables and chairs but used his life skills and formed his family in virtues. Joseph did not react at any situation or people instead listens keenly, understand deeply and responds proactively.
A Father in Shadows: I used to admire a particular image of Joseph during my studies in Rome, and I’ve never come across it anywhere else. The picture is in our SVD Generalate in Rome. I have posted it in today’s blog. It’s a unique depiction of Mary, Joseph, and the boy Jesus riding on a donkey. What makes it striking is that the rope guiding the donkey is in Jesus’ hands. Joseph remains in the background, in shadow, joyfully allowing Jesus to lead their journey. At the time of Joseph, men were the point of identity for family, Joseph gave up his right, he remains in the shadow as today’s feast is called ‘solemnity of Saint Joseph, the husband of Blessed Virgin Mary.’ Joseph celebrates the wellbeing of Mary and Jesus. He rejoices in their success and glory. He is proud to be in the shadows. His shadow brightens the Holy Family.
Passively active: He is very active in forming and building the Holy Family, but he is not actively present anywhere. As a young man, he might have had his owns plans and dreams of life. He sacrifices all his aspirations, does not brag about it. He put Mary and Joseph ahead of his personal desires. Mary and Joseph (God’s plan) became his priority. He sacrificed everything of himself. He began his life silently, lived unnoticed and moved away quietly. He celebrated being behind Mary and Joseph. He was very active in being passive. He is an epitome of example in today’s world that fights untiringly for recognition, value, fame and name.
Our Takeaway
- Joseph is a special person. Joseph is quietly himself. He is very ordinary and his ordinary makes him extraordinary. Greatness lies in ordinary things.
- Joseph is a Diligent Father. He not only made tables and chairs but used his life skills and formed his family in virtues. Joseph did not react at any situation or people instead listened keenly, understood deeply and responded proactively.
- Joseph celebrates the wellbeing of Mary and Jesus. He rejoices in their success and glory. He is proud to be in the shadows. His shadow brightens the Holy Family.
- He celebrated being behind Mary and Joseph. He was very active in being passive. He is an epitome of example in today’s world that fights untiringly for recognition, value, fame and name.
Wilson SVD
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