Texts taken from the Missal “On Your Word” March-April 2023

Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary (feast)
proper

FIRST READING

From the Second Book of Samuel (2 Sam 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16)
In those days, the word of the Lord came to Nathan: “Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: ‘When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of your own flesh, and I will make his kingdom firm. He shall build a house for my name, and I will make the throne of his kingdom 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.’” – The word of God.

Commentary on the first reading

Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Joseph because yesterday the liturgy gave precedence to the celebration of the Fourth Sunday of Lent, a significant season of the liturgical year. The first reading speaks to us, with historical and theological overtones, of the descendant of David who will reign forever. Nathan’s prophecy certainly refers to Solomon, son of David and builder of the temple, but the words “I will make the throne of his kingdom firm forever” indicate a long line of descendants on the throne of Judah. However, this line eventually came to a historical end, and so the oracle takes on prophetic force in its veiled allusion to the Messiah, descendant of David. He is the one who will reign forever in his kingdom, a kingdom that will not be of this world but spiritual, according to God’s plan for the salvation of humanity. Clearly, Christian tradition has always reread this passage as prophetic and messianic, applying it to Jesus, the Messiah descended from David and therefore, indirectly, also to Joseph, the final link in the Davidic genealogy and guarantor of the transmission of the historical inheritance concerning the divine promise made to Israel.

SECOND READING

From the Letter of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Romans (Rom 4:13, 16-18, 22)
Brothers and sisters, the promise made to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the law but through the righteousness that comes from faith. For this reason, it depends on faith, so that it may be according to grace and the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to those who adhere to the law but also to those who follow the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all – as it is written: “I have made you the father of many nations” – in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. He believed, hoping against hope, and thus became the father of many nations, as he had been told: “So numerous shall your descendants be.” That is why it was credited to him as righteousness. – The word of God.

Commentary on the second reading

In developing the lesson that emerges from Abraham’s story, the Apostle establishes a strong contrast between the law and the righteousness that comes from faith. First, Paul emphasizes that God’s promise to Abraham does not depend on the law and thus establishes, unequivocally, that God’s promise is absolute, preceding, and unconditional. Second, the Apostle reiterates that faith is the only path that leads to righteousness, that is, to accepting the gift of salvation. In this respect, the reading applies beautifully to Joseph, a righteous man. Abraham’s true descendants are not so much those who live according to the demands and claims of the law, but rather those who accept the gift of faith and live by it with grateful hearts. In this regard, Paul calls “heirs” of Abraham those who have learned from him the lesson of faith, and not merely obedience to the law. It is an extremely precious and delicate inheritance because it calls forth and unites different attitudes toward life, all rooted in listening to God who speaks and commands, invites and promises.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a)
Jacob became the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. Now this is how Jesus Christ came to be born: 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 did not want to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, an 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. – The Gospel of the Lord.

Commentary on the Gospel of the day

If there is one thing Saint Joseph teaches us today, it is to value dreams. Many times our dreams coincide with God’s dreams; indeed, as in Joseph’s case, the dream itself is the privileged place where God meets our fears. “Do not be afraid” is God’s favorite expression for entering into dialogue with us. Do not be afraid to dream! Unfortunately, today we often encounter people who are no longer capable of dreaming. Dreams, especially those of young people, often clash with the usual “we’ve always done it this way,” “nothing will ever change,” and “you think you can change the world?” These are typical expressions of those who have stopped dreaming of a better future. Young people’s dreams challenge us and unsettle us, yet they are the Church’s and a nation’s most beautiful resource. Young Joseph followed his dream and changed the world! May every father cherish his children’s dreams, giving them all the tools they need to continue dreaming. Let us allow young people’s dreams to change our monotonous, gray lives. Let us not envy them or hinder them, but allow ourselves to be carried along by their enthusiasm and creativity. What does it cost us to dream? What if we really do change this world?

Or

From the Gospel according to Luke (Lk 2:41-51a)
Each year, Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover. 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 then looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances. 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. All who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When they 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. – The Gospel of the Lord.

Commentary on the Gospel of the day

In the confusion of the Temple and the caravan returning home, the holy couple forget twelve-year-old Jesus in Jerusalem. Each thought Jesus was with the other, and only after several days did they realize he was missing. Then Mary and Joseph, distressed, went back to look for him. Whenever we lose Jesus, it means that we have lost the meaning of our journey, the direction of our path. Mary and Joseph are exemplary because, when they realize they have lost Jesus, they are capable of turning back and going to look for him. May today’s Gospel remind each of us that, although it is true that some things, once broken, can no longer be put back together, it also tells us that often all it takes is to turn back, to take a step back, to take seriously Mary and Joseph’s anguish and sadness when they realize they have lost Jesus. These feelings will bring us back to where we became stuck, where we lost that sense, where that wound lies open. And perhaps there we will find Jesus explaining to us that we lost our sense of direction because we had begun to live each on our own, each according to himself or herself.