God has plans as our Father

By Norm McGraw

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031922.cfm
2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16
Rom 4:13, 16-18, 22
Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a

Today’s readings focus on a profession many of you are familiar with, but, alas, I am not — fatherhood. In fact, this week, the Church commemorates Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Because I’m not a dad, I’m going to view the subject from the insights that God, Father of all creation, reveals to us from Holy Scripture.

In the first reading (2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16), God speaks to the prophet Nathan, telling him that He, God, “will be the Father” to his offspring. Continuing, God states to Nathan “your house and your kingdom shall endure forever; your throne shall stand firm forever.”

One of Nathan’s descendants was King David, and one of David’s descendants was Jesus. 

The responsorial Psalm expands upon this point: “The son of David (Jesus) will live forever. I have made a covenant with my chosen one. Forever will I confirm your posterity and establish your throne for all generations.”

The second reading from St. Paul (Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22) also includes the idea of fatherhood, but adds the concept of “righteousness,” which “comes from faith.”

The dictionary defines “righteous” as “the quality of being morally right or justified.” Some of its synonyms give a more descriptive view of the word — “goodness,” “virtue,” “integrity,” and “justice.”

St. Paul adds “that it may be a gift,” and that the covenant that God made with Abraham is “guaranteed” to “those who follow the faith of Abraham.”

Accepting God’s gift of righteousness is one way to gain entry into His kingdom.

One of the gospel readings describes Saint Joseph as a “righteous man.” That’s why he could accept, without reservation, the Blessed Virgin Mary’s immaculate conception when it was explained to him by an angel of the Lord.

In the alternative gospel reading, a twelve-year-old Jesus scared Mary and Joseph when they couldn’t find him because He was teaching in the temple. After they found him, Jesus left with them “and was obedient to them.” He was obedient to Joseph, a “righteous” man.

So, what is God telling us about fatherhood? Well, the reading from Samuel indicates that God, like all fathers, wants to leave us, His “children,” something very important. The reading from St. Paul tells us that it is something timeless, lasting longer than any material gain, something God-like. 

It is righteousness, the quality exhibited by Saint Joseph, a man chosen for the ultimate parenting job.

In fact, aren’t the inherent qualities within righteousness — integrity, goodness, virtue, justice — qualities any parent wants to leave their offspring?

Indeed, it’s no wonder that righteousness is part of the legacy that God leaves for us.