March 19, 2025

Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Lectionary 543

Matthew 1:16,18-21,24a:

Meditation

As the Second Vatican Council reminded us, we have a vocation—not just priests and religious. God calls all. In this passage, the evangelist Matthew sees Joseph as central to the beginning of Christ’s life. We sense Joseph’s anguish at learning that Mary is having a child. We also hear of his dream, in which an angel speaks to him to guide his decision.

When Joseph hears that Mary “has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit”, he listens and responds to the angel, seen by Israel as a messenger from God. Joseph lives out his call very well and responds in other situations to the voice of God.

Mary at La Salette could only convey her Son's message to the two children standing before her. Their initial fear of this Beautiful Lady, weeping before them and encircled in a globe of light, was natural. But Mary managed to invite them forward to converse with her, and their fear melted away.

Mary’s call was to bring her Son’s message to those children and God’s people. She acted as God’s messenger for these children, welcoming them, warning them, and sending them with good news for all to hear. We learn from Joseph and Mary's appearance at La Salette that God sometimes asks us to do difficult things, but we are always supported by God’s grace, wisdom, and strength.