The Only Name That Matters

Solemnity of Saint Joseph,

husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary

19 March 2021 

 

First Reading:  2 SM 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16

Responsorial Psalm:  PS 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29

Second Reading:  ROM 4:13, 16-18, 22

Gospel:  MT 1:16, 18-21, 24a

 

Reflection

By: Pietro Albano

 

In 1997, Tanghalang Anluwage staged a musical play on the life of St. Joseph, our patron saint. After reading the script for the play, Vlad Reyes (one of the musical directors and my friend) joked at me "St. Joseph was a silent man in the Bible, but you made him talkative in this play!" True, there was no record of any word that this great man has uttered. His actions spoke louder than his words. In one of the play's acts, St. Joseph lovingly and jubilantly repeated "Jesus...Jesus...Jesus" after the Baby Jesus was circumcised.

In today's Gospel, the angel of the Lord told Joseph not to be afraid to welcome Mary into his home. As for Mary's Child, he was instructed "you are to name Him Jesus". Some have commented [T]hough not a direct quotation, the one word attributed to Joseph in Sacred Scripture is the holy name of Jesus." I guess, like any parent, St. Joseph would have said the name of Jesus many times–when he woke up after that blessed sleep; when he conversed with Mary throughout their years of being together; when he saw the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in the manger (Luke 2:7); when He was circumcised and presented in the Temple (Luke 2:21-39); when he escaped into Egypt with his family (Matthew 2:13-15); when he cuddled the Lord; when he taught Jesus his trade as a carpenter as well as the Jewish faith; when he prayed and played with Jesus; and when Jesus was lost in the Temple for three days (Luke 2:41-52). I would imagine St. Joseph saying that beautiful name when he breathed his last. I also imagine him now mentioning Jesus' mighty name, in praise and thanksgiving, and in making intercession for God's people, the Church.

• How often and in what occasions do you say the name of Jesus?
• How can you welcome Jesus into your life and home?
• "Jesus wished to become indebted to St. Joseph for the necessities of life, and of this holy patriarch alone it may be said that he saved the life of his Saviour" (St. Madeleine Sophie Brat). How can you become a new St. Joseph in the world today?

Prayer

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your word today. Through the prayers and example of St. Joseph protect us from evil one and lead us to salvation where we will sing the praises of Your powerful Name forever and ever. Amen.

Suggested Lenten Penance: Pray with special devotion to St. Joseph.