A Letter From Our Pastor
March: The Month of Mary and Joseph Dear Parishioners,
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n the month of March, there are two important feast days. On March 19 is the feast day of St. Joseph and on March 25 is the Annunciation. During this year dedicated to St. Joseph, these feast days give us an opportunity to reflect on both Mary and Joseph. The Scriptures tell us that Mary was betrothed to Joseph when the Angel Gabriel announced that God made her to be the mother of our savior. The announcement brought concern to Joseph as he wondered how this could be. The Bible tells us that in a dream, Joseph was told by an angel to have no fear of taking Mary as a wife. The angel said this child came to be through the Holy Spirit, and is Son of God. This month we take time to reflect on the faithfulness of Mary and Joseph and their desire to do God’s will. Then circumstances surrounding the Annunciation remind us that life events happen that confuse us. Even Mary’s response to Gabriel is, “How can this be, since I do not know man?” The impressive nature of her response is wonder rather than denial. She states, “How can this be?” rather than, “This cannot be true.” Her wonder concerning how this will happen never affected her confidence in God’s plan for her. She simply accepted the unusual plan with
“Let it be done unto me according to your will.” Joseph is called a “righteous man,” indicating that he was a faithful observer of God’s law. He was not only interiorly committed to God’s law, but he practiced it in everything he did. He was a holy man that desired to do nothing that would offend God. His response to the announcement of Mary’s pregnancy was according to God’s law. In the Gospel of Matthew, the fifth chapter teaches about adherence to God’s law. Jesus does not change one letter of the law while challenging us to live it in a deeper way. The letter
of the law states the command, and Jesus teaches the fulfillment of the law with the virtue that underlies the law. Joseph understands this subtlety in his response of love towards Mary on announcement of her pregnancy. The angel intervenes and calls Joseph to recognize that God’s ways are not ours, and commands him to take Mary as his wife. As a righteous man, Joseph does not question but faithfully fulfills the angel’s command. The month of March provides us in the liturgy two opportunities to reflect on openness to God’s Word and fidelity to God’s plan. We are God’s children living in a fallen world. The events of daily life are sometimes confusing and difficult. Acknowledging that we are God’s children living in a chaotic world helps us acknowledge our need for the wisdom and power of God. During this month, let us ask Mary and Joseph to pray for us, that through their powerful assistance, we may be faithful and righteous children of God, giving a witness to others of the power and glory of God. Sincerely yours in Christ,
Msgr. Robert Tucker Pastor
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