To be Righteous
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| Photo by Michael O'Sullivan on Unsplash |
Joseph’s ministry is short lived in the Gospels. Thus, we do not know much about Joseph. Here is what we do know about him from the brief lines in New Testament Scripture: he was honorable and faithful man with lineage traced to King David and further to Abraham. We can also conclude that Joseph was a devout Jew with a strong character. As a religious man, he must have anticipated the coming of a king from the lineage of Abraham and David to lead Israel. I wonder what he must have thought when the Angel appeared to him in a dream to tell him to take Mary as his wife without reservation; that he would be the foster father of Emmanuel who will "...save his people from their sins." He obediently complied.
His faith buried all doubt.
As I said before, the Gospel passages talk very briefly about Joseph. In today’s Gospel, Matthew wants us to know that Joseph is simply a “righteous” man, both with regard to the mystery of Mary’s pregnancy and as the earthly father of Mary’s son.
What does it mean to be “righteous” man? Has the definition of a righteous man changed throughout time? During Joseph’s time the ones who were considered the ‘righteous’ ones were the scribes and Pharisees. They knew all about the Law and could tell you what is God’s will and what is not. The scribes and Pharisees expected people to revere them and bow to them. They made themselves the standard of religious obedience. However, Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount said: “your righteousness must surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees.” He knew of a righteousness that came from his mother and foster father. It is not a righteousness from analyzing and holding on to the letter of the law without question but, instead, it grows from opening yourself to the word of God asking you to do something you may not understand.
Joseph put his faith and trust in God’s word, submitting himself to a plan that was beyond his understanding.
As I said before, the Gospel passages talk very briefly about Joseph. In today’s Gospel, Matthew wants us to know that Joseph is simply a “righteous” man, both with regard to the mystery of Mary’s pregnancy and as the earthly father of Mary’s son.
What does it mean to be “righteous” man? Has the definition of a righteous man changed throughout time? During Joseph’s time the ones who were considered the ‘righteous’ ones were the scribes and Pharisees. They knew all about the Law and could tell you what is God’s will and what is not. The scribes and Pharisees expected people to revere them and bow to them. They made themselves the standard of religious obedience. However, Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount said: “your righteousness must surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees.” He knew of a righteousness that came from his mother and foster father. It is not a righteousness from analyzing and holding on to the letter of the law without question but, instead, it grows from opening yourself to the word of God asking you to do something you may not understand.
Joseph put his faith and trust in God’s word, submitting himself to a plan that was beyond his understanding.
How then can we be righteous? What is the call that God asks of you?
Author: Jose Aquino, Theology Department
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