19 March 26 Solemnity of St Joseph
2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16 ; Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29 ; Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22 ; Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a Joseph, Foster Father of Jesus
As a child, I always wondered how Pepe became the nickname for someone named Joseph. Joseph in Italian is Giuseppe, and it may make sense to assume Pepe for a nickname. But in truth, its origins are rather liturgical. “Sanctus Josefus Pater Putativus Christi,” St. Joseph, the putative (that is, recognized, acknowledged, assumed) father of Christ. The rather long title was eventually shortened to “Pater Putativus” until it was finally reduced to just “P.P.” —hence Pepe; the Spanish “p” being pronounced “pe.”
Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the St Joseph, the Foster Father of Jesus, Pater Putativus.
The Readings today tell of the fatherhood born not of legal terms but of faith.
Culminating in the Gospel Reading according to Matthew, we hear the story of Joseph’s call to be Mary’s husband and thus the Putative Father of Jesus.
The 12 th-century Cistercian monk, St. Bernard, in a homily, proclaimed that “God found in Joseph a second David to whom he could confidently entrust his plans, even the most hidden. He revealed to him, as to another David, the mysteries of his wisdom and disclosed to him what no teacher in the world could know. He allowed him to see and hear things that many kings and prophets had wished to see and hear but, despite their desire, had not been able to (Mt 13:7); furthermore, he made him carry and guide, embrace, nurture, and protect him. Both Mary and Joseph belonged to David’s race; in Mary was fulfilled the promise once made by the Lord to David, while Joseph was the witness of this fulfillment.
Indeed, there is no doubt that Joseph was a very holy and trustworthy man, since the Mother of the Savior was to be his wife. He was the “faithful and prudent servant” (Mt 24,45), for God established him to be his Mother’s support, the foster father of his flesh, and the assistant for his plan of salvation.”
In the story of Joseph’s call, we are reminded that mature faith is active, not blind. It takes maturity in faith to be docile to God’s designs. In no way does this also mean exemption from challenges. Joseph, in his righteousness, struggled to understand the circumstances regarding Mary’s condition. And as with Mary, God sent an angel to proclaim His plan to Joseph. Then, in mature faith, Joseph assented to God’s will. It is in mature faith that obedience is embraced.
This also somehow foretells his Foster Son’s upcoming incarnation story. Jesus comes into the realm of time and space without the special privilege of royalty but in utter human helplessness and vulnerability. The Lord Jesus Christ will have to endure suffering and death as a full expression of obedience to the Father’s will. Only then does Resurrection happen.
Throughout life, even throughout the day, we go through the Lord’s cycle of Passion, Death, and Resurrection. It is both the furnace that forges obedience, and likewise, the expression of it that in turn fosters greater maturity in faith.
Through the example and intercession of St Joseph, may we grow mature in faith and so be docile to the Father’s will. As St Joseph’s full assent and obedience to God’s will brought completion to the Holy Family of Nazareth to welcome the Incarnated Jesus, may all that we do, say, and think, likewise bring forth the Lord’s presence so all those we encounter may also encounter Him.
That in all things, God may be glorified.
