Posted by The WORD in other words (2021) by Fr Bel San Luis SVD – Christ the King Seminary, Quezon City
Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Husband of Mary – March 19
Today is the feast of St. Joseph, a man of few words.
The gospel tells us that he was a “vir justus,” an upright man (Mt 1,19). When he was confronted with the mystery of Mary’s pregnancy or “virgin birth” before they lived together he decided to divorce her quietly. But when the Lord revealed to him in a dream that the child Mary had been carrying was from the Holy Spirit and not from man, he decided to take her to his home.
Joseph’s conduct shows what true uprightness means. The just man does not only seek what justice demands or fights for his own human rights, but also knows how to temper justice with mercy.
A contemporary example is a tragedy that befell the only child of track star Lydia de Vega-Mercado who was hit and killed by a speeding vehicle. Deeply aggrieved, Lydia could have demanded imprisonment for the driver, but after a long agonizing discernment, she relented and forgave the driver, saying, “Nobody wanted this to happen.”
Further, St. Joseph, by his good example in word and deed, is a model for all fathers. There are many “good and just” people in the world, but their stories are seldom splashed on the front page of newspapers or on TV. It’s all about rock stars, movie/sports celebrities, and entertainers—not to mention politicians. But how often do we hear about those who quietly do their work, helping and “being there” when they are needed?
Let’s say a prayer of gratitude to these quiet but dedicated workers–parents, teachers, mechanics, garbage collectors, nurses, caregivers, janitors, farmers, drivers.
They are our unsung heroes and modern-day St. Josephs.
One comment