Homily on the Solemnity of St Joseph; 19 March 2025, DBPH Chapel, Talamban
Today we take a short break from Lent in order to celebrate the Solemnity of St Joseph, the chaste Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The life story of St Joseph may not be as interesting as other Biblical figures or saints but surely his example can be very inspiring. In fact Catholic devotion to him is so strong even today. Allow me to point out two episodes for our reflection today.
Firstly, according to the gospel we have heard earlier (Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a) it was not in his plan to play a role in the history of salvation. His desire was only to marry the most beautiful woman he has ever met in Nazareth. Unfortunately, something shockingly unexpected happened to Mary, his fiancee, who was found to be with child and he had nothing at all to do with it. It is amazing to know how Joseph dealt with the unexpected pregnancy of the woman, to whom he had been engaged. Had Joseph, known to be a just man, strictly observed the law without a heart, he would have immediately accused Mary of adultery and she would have been stoned to death (and the Messiah would not have been born). But no! Joseph thought of an alternative plan to divorce Mary quietly in order to save the face of her whom he loved so dearly and selflessly with all his heart. It is precisely this prudent, patient and considerate plan B he had in mind that manifested his true heart as a legal spouse of Mary; a heart both chaste and compassionate.
But just when he was about to carry out his alternative plan, something unexpected happened again. One night Joseph had a very enlightening dream. And we know that the next day when he woke up after that dreamful sleep, and seeing Mary glowing with God’s grace, he set aside even his plan B and, submitting himself to God’s will, he promptly took her as his wife. And very soon he became the wonderful person God intended him to be the much bigger plan of salvation for all humanity.
Secondly, we also recall another incident narrated by St Luke (Lk 2:41-51a) when Joseph and Mary brought along their twelve-year old child Jesus to the temple for the feast of the Passover. Joseph must have thought all along that Jesus had been in the protective care of Mary. After the festivities were over and they were already heading homeward together with other pilgrims Joseph must have been shocked again seeing Mary this time without the child Jesus. After three days of anxious-filled searching when they finally found him inside the temple, Joseph must have been speechless to see the holy child glowing with glory in the house of the Father. It was in fact the Blessed Mother who couldn’t help but confront the child Jesus with her disappointment “Why did you do this to us? Didn’t you know…”
Joseph’s silence at that moment is quite puzzling. Why was he silent? He must have quickly understood what was going on. It was the first time that the child Jesus had an unique experience of bonding with his real Father. He must have noticed how the boy felt so much at home where he really belonged and that he had actually been enjoying every minute of his precious ME time with his real Father at the temple. And I guess Joseph quickly realized that scolding the child would not be necessary, it might even be disrespectful. And that could explain his sacred silence.
Sacred silence! This is what we really need to observe first whenever we find ourselves in doubt, confused or stressed. Sacred silence is what we need during this Lenten season in order that we may hear more clearly God’s voice speaking to us in prayer or in a dream, or in a whisper telling us what could be the right thing to do. Sacred silence is precisely what this world especially our nation needs during these trying times of dissension and polarization. Sacred silence is indeed the proper setting needed so that the Spirit of God may be able to do in us and through us his wonderful work of salvation and sanctification for all.
Finally, I believe it is by divine coincidence that this feast of St Joseph is celebrated within the second week of Lent after Transfiguration Sunday. We can surmise that Jesus who was transfigured on Mt Tabor while in prayer had learned from St Joseph the prime importance of sacred silence. We pray, therefore, that St. Joseph may inspire us and help us to realize the importance of sacred silence in our life day after day. And may he intercede for us always so that during our prayerful moments of ME time with the Lord we too, individually and as a community, may experience our own transfiguration with Jesus who raised St Joseph to the glory of heaven. GiGsss!
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