Homily for the Solemnity of Joseph, Husband of Mary

Some of you may remember seeing the classic romantic­comedy film from the early fifties, "The Quiet Man" starring screen legends John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara and Barry
Fitzgerald. Some of you may not remember either the film or the actors but it took place in Ireland, where John Wayne had returned after a boxing career in the US to find some peace and quiet, hence the film's title "The Quiet Man." Ironically, he fell in love and found just the opposite.

Today is the solemn feast of St. Joseph, the Spouse of Mary. If a film would be made of his life today, I think it might also be called "The Quiet Man" but with a different storyline than that portrayed by John Wayne.

St. Joseph was truly "the quiet man" in the history of human salvation. Holy Scripture does not have much to say ABOUT him nor does it contain much of a record ABOUT THING HE SAID. And, yet, his quiet and unassuming role in the lives of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her Divine Son Jesus have earned him an unforgettable and amazing place in our Christian faith: saints, theologians, religious scholars have written volumes about him of the history of the Catholic Church. 150 years ago, Blessed Pope Pius IX declared this "quiet man," Patron of the Universal Church. Pope Francis has recognized the anniversary by proclaiming this, "The Year of St. Joseph."

Today, I'd like to single out three things we celebrate about St. Joseph.

First, he was --- as today's feast solemnly commemorates --­ "husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary." If it were not for that fact, if it were not for her, the world would never have heard of this "quiet man." He loved a young Jewish maiden who said "yes" to God in complete trust and confidence and he joined her in that "yes." St. Joseph and the world would never be the same. For the Christian, Joseph as "husband of Mary" is the model of openness to God's will.

Second, Joseph was the "foster-father of the Lord Jesus." The great teacher and doctor of the Church St. Thomas Aquinas wrote that in the incarnation and birth of Jesus Christ, he needed the care and protection of a father. Pope Francis describes the fatherhood of Joseph in several ways: "A beloved father, a tender and loving father, an obedient father, an accepting father, a creatively courageous father, a working father, a father in the shadows." A quiet man of whom Pope Benedict XVI encouraged, "Let us allow ourselves to be 'infected' by the 'silence of St. Joseph.' We have much need of it in a world which is often too noisy, which does not encourage reflection and listening to the voice of God. For the Christian, Joseph as "foster-father of the Lord Jesus" is the father, guardian and protector of the Church, the "Body of Christ throughout time." He is our "foster-father."
Third, and finally, Joseph was a "working man who found God's presence in human labor." Joseph was a humble man who did not seek recognition or privilege in the conduct of his daily life. The callouses on his hands bore great witness to the dignity of everyday ordinary life. For the Christian, Joseph as a quiet "working man" showed what it meant to "practice the presence of God." He is a "model of quiet prayer and closeness to Jesus, whose example invites us to think about the time we devote to prayer each day."

"Each of us," Pope Francis has said, "can discover in Joseph - the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence - an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble. Saint Joseph reminds us that those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of salvation."

In this "Year of St. Joseph," on this Feast of St. Joseph let us beg God for the grace to imitate "the quiet man" in the daily unfolding of our own personal salvation.