so that it may be a gift
Does it depend on faith to make things hard for Joseph?
By faith he trusts in the word of the angel who tells him, "do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home."
By faith he trusts in the word of the angel who tells him, "Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt."
He becomes the father and guardian of Jesus by faith. By faith he protects him.
But why faith? God certainly could have set things up so that Joseph could fulfill his roll without being challenged like this. We can imagine an alternative life without pivotal choices, with ease instead of radical trust.
But Jesus, do you call us to faith just to challenge us?
No! It is "so that it may be a gift". It is precisely to make it obvious that it is blessing and grace. The requirement of faith is meant to reveal that it is only because your own strength is in play that it is possible to live this faith. It reveals that we are entirely out of our depth. But it does this only to show us that you are holding us in your hands.
Jesus, help us to be like Joseph. He doesn't doubt. He doesn't question. He hears your promise and obeys.
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
Joseph, you give Jesus his name. Jesus means God saves. You, blessed Saint Joseph are the first to call the word of God savior. Help us to call Jesus our savior. There is no other name under heaven given by which we may be saved. And you, Saint Joseph, give us this name (cf. Act. 4:12).
Joseph, the promise made to David is made even more perfectly to you.
I have sworn to David my servant:
Forever will I confirm your posterity
and establish your throne for all generations.
You are the father of the child who also says to God, "You are my father, my God, the Rock, my savior." You are the father of the one who shall be a son to God. You are the father of the one whose kingdom and throne are firm forever. Jesus " will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end" (cf. Luk. 1:33).
This is all through your faith, Joseph. It does not tire you out or weary you. Instead, it allows you to receive Jesus as a gift from the Father.
Your faith allows that "the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants". If it was dependent on your effort it could not. Even though you are a righteous man it could not. It depends on God's gift. It is his power that makes this throne and kingdom firm. It is his power that makes you the father of many nations just as it does Abraham.
Saint Joseph, teach us to have the faith that you have. Teach us to receive what God offers as gifts which he himself ensures instead of as trials which we alone endure.
Saint Joseph, thank you for a Te Deum in Lent. Thank you for the joy you have in Jesus which you want to share with us this morning.
Jesus, bring us to your Father's house by teaching us to spend time with your earthly father. Through him, teach us to receive all that you have for us.
The promises of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness,
For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”;
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
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