HE SHALL BUILD A HOUSE…

THE FEAST OF ST JOSEPH

2 Samuel 7:4-5,12-14,16

4 But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, 5 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: Would you build me a house to dwell in? 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever. 14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. When he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men; 

16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me; your throne shall be established for ever.'” 

Romans 4:13,16-18,22

13 The promise to Abraham and his descendants, that they should inherit the world, did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.16 That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants– not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham, for he is the father of us all, 17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations” –in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 18 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations; as he had been told, “So shall your descendants be.” 22 That is why his faith was “reckoned to him as righteousness.” 

Matthew 1:16,18-21,24

16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; 19 and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly. 

20 But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; 21 she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife,

MEDITATION

NATHAN THE PROPHET is instructed to appoint David the shepherd son of Jacob to build a house made of cedar,because God desired that He reside in a permanent “dwelling” place, no longer in a tent which was prone to the onslaught of the enemies of God. David also received the promise that from His offspring shall the permanent kingdom of God be ushered in. 

St PAUL writes that the Abrahamic promise made by God came to fulfilment because of Abrahams “righteousness,” that  was born out of his faithfulness to God. Faith is a root word that describes spiritual virtues of trust,reliance,hope and confidence in the Divine providence of God. Faith is a product of God’s sanctifying grace that is ordered to perfect the person of God making us a “new creation” (2 Cor 5:17) in right standing with the Father. 

St MATTHEWS GOSPEL account recognize God’s faithfulness in the Abrahamic promise to fulfill the prophecy that from the Davidic lineage will be born the Messiah.Matthew is clear in his discription that Joseph was the husband of Mary when he became aware that she was “with child!” Joseph, knowing that both he and Mary had made a public special Nazarite vow “to not come together” in the conjugal act (Num 30:1-7), was not sure what to make of her pregnancy which motivated his virtues act of charity to spare her the shame of being being stoned to death if she committed adultery,hence he thought it wise to send her away! 

It took an angel of God to reveal to Joseph (1) that he was of the lineage of David. (2) That his offspring shall establish God’s kingdom. (3) His offspring shall build a permanent house wherein God shall dwell forever and (4) God had overshadowed Mary which is the fulfilment of His promise to establish His Kingdom! Joseph’s obedience, faith and trust in God’s Divine Providence spurred him to now unquestionably embrace Mary because he believed God’s word! St Joseph exemplify the faith and obedience of his forefather Abraham, who took God at his word once he received the revelation. Just like his forefather, he received God’s message in a “dream” but without any further enquiry or investigation or doubt as to the implications of the relevation, he took up his ‘cross’ and embraced the Mother and Son of God! 

God desire to establish His home in you and me. Whatever trail or decision you may face today, listen and respond to the voice of reason and Truth with fortitude trust in God’s Divine Providence!

LET US PRAY: Psalms 89:2-5,27,29

2 For thy steadfast love was established for ever, thy faithfulness is firm as the heavens. 3 Thou hast said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant: 4 ‘I will establish your descendants for ever, and build your throne for all generations.'” 5 Let the heavens praise thy wonders, O LORD, thy faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones! 27 And I will make him the first-born, the highest of the kings of the earth. 

29 I will establish his line for ever and his throne as the days of the heavens. 

catholicwitnessct@gmail.com    Henry R SYLVESTER              

Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast