VOICE OF THE LOGOS (26): REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF SAINT JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, YEAR 1

When Fatherhood Requires Sacrificing One’s Dreams And Desires For The Greater Good Of The Family As St. Joseph Did

First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:4-16
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 88(89):2-5,27,29
Second Reading: Romans 4:13,16-18,22
Gospel: Matthew 1:18-24
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Every man, at some point in his life, may have been faced with the dilemma of choosing between his personal ambitions and the responsibilities of fatherhood because life is often a battle between ambition and responsibility, between personal dreams and the sacrifices required for the well-being of others. Many today believe that fatherhood is a noble burden that crushes personal desires, forcing men to abandon their ambitions for the sake of their children and spouses. Others argue that true fatherhood is not about abandoning dreams but reshaping them in light of a greater purpose. The world today glorifies personal success, urging men to chase their goals relentlessly. Yet, the reality of fatherhood often demands painful sacrifices. Many fathers have walked away from promising careers, personal ambitions, and lifelong dreams to secure a stable and nurturing environment for their families. The tension between these choices is evident in countless real-life scenarios – an athlete who declines an international contract to be present for his child’s growth, a scholar who forgoes further studies to provide for his household, a businessman who steps away from a lucrative opportunity to be a present and active father. In the grand scheme of things, is fatherhood a calling to sacrifice or an invitation to reshape one’s deepest desires with a greater purpose? This dilemma is not new; it is as old as time itself, and perhaps no one embodies this paradox better than Saint Joseph (who struggled between personal dreams and divine responsibility), whose feast we celebrate today.

The Solemnity of Saint Joseph invites us to reflect on a man who had dreams and desires like any other, yet was called to abandon them for a divine mission greater than himself. Joseph was not merely a silent bystander in the story of salvation; he was a man with plans, aspirations, and a future of his own. Yet, when confronted with the unexpected – Mary’s pregnancy and the angel’s command – he had to make a choice: follow his personal path or surrender to the “unknown” for the sake of his family. His decision to embrace the divine mission, despite the initial confusion and fear, makes him the ultimate model of sacrificial fatherhood. He did not question or resist; rather, he chose obedience over personal ambition. His story is not one of defeat, but of deep love and purpose. In a world where men are often judged by what they achieve for themselves, Joseph teaches that true greatness is found in what one is willing to sacrifice for others.

This paradox of personal ambition and divine calling is not a modern struggle; it is deeply embedded in human history. The First Reading from 2 Samuel 7:4-16 presents a divine promise to King David, a covenant that would establish his house and throne forever. David, a warrior-king, had a personal ambition – to build a grand temple for God. Yet, through the prophet Nathan, God redirects his plan, revealing that it is not David but his offspring who will establish a lasting house. The historical context of this passage reflects a moment where David, despite his political and military success, must set aside his own desires and vision to accept God’s higher purpose. The Hebrew term “bayit” (בַּיִת), used in the passage, means both “house” (as in a dynasty) and “temple”, creating a powerful irony: David wanted to build a physical structure for God, but God instead promised to establish an eternal house through his lineage. This promise reaches its fulfilment in Jesus Christ, yet Joseph, not David, becomes the visible instrument of this prophecy’s realization. Joseph, like David, may have had personal aspirations – perhaps building his career, establishing a quiet life with Mary, and raising children in the normal way. But God had a different bayit in mind for him. Just as David had to step back and trust in God’s plan for his dynasty, Joseph had to abandon his personal expectations and assume the role of guardian to the Son of God. Unlike David, Joseph was not granted visions of grandeur or public recognition. He was called to embrace the hidden role of protecting the one who would bring the true and eternal kingdom.

The Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 89) strengthens this theme, as it proclaims God’s faithfulness to His promises and the eternal endurance of David’s lineage. Yet, the paradox is that this lineage is secured not through a warrior-king like David, but through the silent, obedient faith of Joseph. The psalmist celebrates the covenant with David, which is ultimately realized not on a luxury throne but in a carpenter’s home, not through a mighty warrior, but through a humble father who chose sacrifice over personal ambition.

Similarly, the Second Reading from Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22 speaks of Abraham’s faith, illustrating that righteousness does not come through the Law, but through trust in God’s promises. Abraham, like Joseph, had to abandon the normal expectations of fatherhood. He was called to believe in the impossible – that he would have descendants as numerous as the stars, despite his old age. Joseph, too, had to embrace an unconventional fatherhood. He was asked not to be a biological father, but a father by faith, raising a child that was not his flesh and blood, yet was destined to be the fulfilment of God’s promise. Abraham had to leave behind his land, Joseph had to leave behind his own expectations of family life – both men were asked to trust in a plan greater than themselves. The righteousness of both men was not in strict adherence to legal norms but in their willingness to believe in the impossible. Joseph’s faith, like Abraham’s, was credited to him as righteousness.

The climax of today’s message reaches the Gospel reading from Matthew 1:18-24, which situates a critical moment in Joseph’s life. The “Sitz im Leben” (life setting) of this passage reflects a first-century Jewish context where betrothal was legally binding, and a woman found pregnant before the consummation of marriage faced severe consequences, including public disgrace or even stoning. Joseph, being a “dikaios” (δίκαιος), a righteous man (as stated in the Gospel reading), contemplated putting her aside quietly, rather than expose Mary to shame. The term “dikaios” does not merely imply legalistic righteousness but a deeper sense of moral integrity, mercy, and fidelity to God’s will. Joseph’s struggle was not one of suspicion because the Scripture didn’t state so, but he felt unworthy; he knew that something divine was at work but felt inadequate to be part of it – as the passage states: “But before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.” Thus, he knew the Holy Spirit was at work in her. His situation mirrors other biblical figures who, when faced with God’s presence, responded with humility and fear. Moses hesitated at the burning bush (Exodus 3:5), Isaiah trembled before God’s throne (Isaiah 6:5), and Peter fell at Jesus’ feet, confessing his unworthiness (Luke 5:8). Saint Jerome affirms this perspective, stating that Joseph sought to withdraw not out of doubt, but out of reverence for the mystery unfolding before him. Similarly, Aquinas holds that Joseph’s decision was an act of profound humility, as he saw himself unfit to partake in such a sacred mission.

One pertinent lesson from Saint Joseph’s life is that fatherhood is not about personal achievement but about self-giving – sacrifice. In an era where success is often measured by wealth, status, and independence, Joseph’s example reminds us that true fatherhood is about presence, responsibility, and sacrifice. In an age where many fathers spend extended periods away from their families in pursuit of career success or wealth at the expense of the emotional and physical detachment from their children, St. Joseph’s example calls men to find a balance between professional responsibilities and the irreplaceable role of being present in the lives of their children, ensuring that success is not achieved at the expense of meaningful fatherhood. While providing for one’s family is essential, Saint Joseph reminds us that fatherhood is not just about material provision but about presence, guidance, and active involvement. The man who abandons his egoistic dreams for his family does not lose himself; rather, he finds a deeper purpose. In Joseph, we see that the measure of a father is not in what he builds for himself but in what he builds for those entrusted to his care.

Another lesson is that faithfulness to God’s plan often requires letting go of personal expectations. Joseph could have insisted on a conventional life, a typical marriage, and a predictable future. Instead, he embraced uncertainty, trusting that God’s vision was greater than his own. Many men today wrestle with similar decisions – choosing between career opportunities that demand excessive time away from home or making sacrifices to be present for their children. Joseph’s silent obedience teaches that sometimes the best decision is the one that corresponds with divine purpose rather than societal expectations.

Finally, Joseph’s life teaches us that greatness is found in hidden, everyday acts of love. Unlike Abraham, Moses, or David, Joseph performs no grand miracles, utters no prophetic words, and leads no armies. Yet, he is one of the most significant figures in salvation history. His greatness lies in the unseen moments – working tirelessly to provide for his family, shielding them from danger, and guiding Jesus with quiet wisdom – little wonder the Holy Father, Pope Francis, referred to him in his “Patris Corde” as a beloved father, a tender and loving father, an obedient father, an accepting father, a courageously creative father, a hardworking father, and a father in the shadows. In a world obsessed with recognition, Joseph reminds us that the most impactful fatherhood is often the one done in the shadows, unnoticed yet indispensable.

Dear friends in Christ, Saint Joseph must be celebrated, revered, and valued in today’s world because his life answers the struggles of modern men. He is a model for fathers who feel torn between ambition and responsibility, for husbands going through the complexities of faith and family, and for all men striving to balance duty with personal desire. In him, we see that sacrifice is not the end of fulfilment but the beginning of something greater. His silent yet profound witness speaks to every man who has ever wondered if giving up his dreams for his family is worth it. The answer, as Joseph shows, is a resounding yes!

O that today you would listen to his VOICE, harden not your hearts! (Ps. 95:7)

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Shalom!
© Fr. Chinaka Justin Mbaeri, OSJ
Seminário Padre Pedro Magnone, São Paulo, Brazil
nozickcjoe@gmail.com / fadacjay@gmail.com

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