From the Pastor’s Desk::

Pope Francis began the Year of St. Joseph on December 8th, 2020. In his teaching on the year he wrote that throughout his life, “St. Joseph had to make many small, hidden sacrifices to protect and guide the Holy Family. Similarly, many ordinary people have made sacrifices in the face of great hardship in the last year. And just as St. Joseph demonstrated, these small sacrifices and demonstrations of resourcefulness become small moments of heroism.” Pope Francis chose St. Joseph as the foster father of Jesus, who presents him as a man whose humility, faith and relatability are greatly needed after a year of global suffering. Even in the Church Joseph is easy to forget about. He simply fades into the background. In the Gospels he never speaks a word. However, Matthew’s Gospel makes it clear that Joseph has a major role to play in Jesus’ birth. Joseph is at the heart of the Christmas celebration. To begin with it is through Joseph that the prophecies concerning Jesus are fulfilled. Within Jesus’ genealogy must be found the royal line of King David, for Jesus to sit upon his throne. Joseph is of the House of David. So on a human level, Jesus is the Messiah because of his genealogy, as Matthew’s Gospel presents Jesus as the heir to David’s throne. It is Joseph’s line that makes Jesus the “Son of David”. For ancient peoples, being of biological descent was not necessary for royal succession. Within the Roman Empire, adopted sons were many times the next emperor. Joseph and Mary in being betrothed were legally husband and wife, they were married by the law. Mary’s pregnancy must have devasted Joseph in that he knew the child she was carrying was not his, however in his dream Joseph accepted the will of God and accepted Jesus as his son. The holiness of Joseph is seen in his acceptance and willingness to accept the angelic messages Joseph will continue to receive. None of the pieces of Joseph’s life fit together, (royal lineage without any power, a poor humble carpenter, and a wife pregnant with a child which was not his) until the angel speaks to him in his dream. Joseph is a model of love and faithfulness. As the year of St. Joseph draws to a close this week, let us continue to look to St. Joseph as our model of gentleness, love and faithfulness. Immaculate Conception Holy Day of obligation Masses schedule 12-7 7:00 pm (Vigil), 12–8 8:30 am, 12:15 pm, 5:30 pm, 8:00 pm (Vietnamese)