“When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded.”

Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, the husband of Mary and the legal father of Jesus. As we reflect on the Gospel of Matthew, specifically Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a, we delve into the life of this remarkable yet humble man, whose quiet strength and unwavering faith played a pivotal role in the story of Jesus and of our salvation.

In Matthew 1:16, we reach the culmination of Jesus’ genealogy, where Joseph is established as a descendant of the house of David, fulfilling the old prophecies and underscoring Jesus’ rightful place as the Savior of Israel. It is here in Matthew where Joseph is named as the husband of Marcy, of who Jesus was born and is called the Messiah or Christ.

The birth of Jesus, as narrated in Matthew’s Gospel, is uniquely told through the eyes of Joseph. Here we come to find that Joseph is a righteous man. He is faced with a dilemma. He is engaged to Mary and discovers she is with child, not by him, but by the Holy Spirit. This is a society where such news could lead to public disgrace at best or even death for Mary. We find Joseph has a heart of compassion when he resolves to dismiss her quietly, again representing his deep care and righteousness.

The story in Matthew continues when God reveals a different plan to Joseph. Joseph thinks he has this figured out, but God intervenes. God sends an angel to appear to him in a dream and reveal the true and divine nature of Mary’s pregnancy. The angel instructs Joseph not to fear taking Mary as his wife, for the child she carries is conceived by the Holy Spirit. The angel tells him to name the child Jesus.

Joseph’s response to this divine message is immediate and faithful. Upon waking, he does as the angel commands, embracing his role in God’s plan with humility and obedience. Here, we witness faith in action—a testament to Joseph’s character and his willingness to trust in God’s will, even when it defies human understanding.

Saint Joseph’s story is a celebration of humble service and strength. Despite being an ordinary man—a carpenter promised to Mary—God chose him for an extraordinary purpose. Joseph’s life exemplifies how God often selects the ordinary to achieve the extraordinary. His example of humility, obedience, and unwavering faith serves as a model for us all.

As the patron saint of carpenters, the dying, and workers, Joseph’s legacy extends beyond his earthly life. With God’s grace, he responded to his call, reminding us that, like him, we too can respond to God’s direction with grace and faith, even when faced with difficult tasks.

In his apostolic letter on the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of St. Joseph as the patron of the universal Church, Pope Francis describes Joseph as a beloved, tender, and loving father—a creatively courageous father who worked in the shadows. This description encapsulates the essence of Joseph’s role in the life of Jesus and the Church.

Let us pray for St. Joseph’s intercession, asking him to watch over us and grant us the courage and strength to follow God’s will, just as he did. May we find inspiration in his example, allowing his humility and obedience to guide us in our own journeys of faith.

St. Joseph, watch over us today and every day. Amen.