The scripture readings for the Feast of Saint Joseph paint a varied picture. The Old Testament lesson refers to his heritage from David. Jesus is a son of David, which the Bible presumed would be the lineage of the Messiah, because he was adopted by Joseph. St. Paul says that righteousness that comes from faith…. so that it may be a gift, and not a matter of biology. In St. Matthew’s gospel the glory of Joseph come out of his relationships. It was because he wanted to shield Mary from shame and possible harm (the punishment for adultery was stoning) that he is honored. It was because he cared for Jesus as his own that we look to him as protector of the Church.
