Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time 22nd March 2009

 FEAST OF SAINT JOSEPH'S , 19 March

Joseph is my middle name! Not that such a piece of useless information will help you much. But I like having such a great patron. Also, as patron of our church, our community and our parish Joseph has a special overseeing care of each one of us. During Lent we are walking with Jesus to Calvary and the Resurrection. Joseph was chosen by God to play a key role at the beginning of this plan of salvation. Maybe I am wrong, but does Joseph get sufficient recognition for all he did in answering God’s call? My own impression is that he does not.

In the Old Testament 1,250 years before Jesus was born there was a people named ‘Joseph’ who lived between the cities of Bethel and Megiddo. These ‘Joseph people’ are remembered for their wisdom. Then there is Joseph in the book of Genesis who was repeatedly put down and raised up. After his brothers threw him down into a cistern Joseph is saved by passing nomads who sell him into slavery. He is thrown into prison and Pharaoh saved his life. In the end, he saves his family when famine has them near to death. A great man!

Joseph, the husband of Mary, is remembered as a just and wise man because he does not judge by appearances and divorce Mary as his wife-to-be for adultery. He accepts the message not to be afraid to take Mary home because the child to be born is of the Holy Spirit. That took some faith and total trust in God and His plan. Joseph has no easy task.

When Jesus is to be born Joseph has to set out for Bethlehem for the census because he is of the House of David. There is a monumental mix-up about where to stay. Worse was to come. Joseph has to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus when there is a threat to kill the new-born Saviour. When things get safer Joseph can bring the family to Nazareth and set up shop as a carpenter. There he cares for and shares life with Mary and Jesus. We are not even told when he died or anything else about his life. But Joseph’s life has a message for us on our journey.

Sometimes I think that God is working most powerfully in me when things go well. When people are struggling with unemployment, sickness, family breakdown, loneliness or whatever is happening in your life, we often feel abandoned by God. But look at Joseph and we see that God is powerfully present in those desolate moments and when life seems a total mess. Even in those times of confusion and challenge Joseph never gave up believing in God.

This weekend we are being addressed by a man called Philip whose son died at seventeen years of age. He will never forget the desolation of that day and the pain suffered daily since, but he has built up something wonderful called PIPS. He is responsible along with others for saving other young people from dying as his boy did. He will tell us more this weekend.

In Congo where war goes on with an enormous human cost, a Passionist priest is working courageously to help new-born babies and children. In the maternity unit he is constructing there will be a new hope and a chance of a better life for children. Jesus blessed and cherished children. The families of these children will know God has not abandoned them.

Aidan Troy, C.P. (Aodhán Ó Troighthigh, C.P.)