From centuries past our Holy Mother Church has prescribed for Masses of this Feast of our Holy Mother Mary the Gospel text Mt.1:1-16, which runs between
The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham.
...
and Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus: who is called Christ.
It might seem a bit ... odd... that this Marian feast is honoured with Joseph's genealogy.
The fact is, however, that all the attention paid Joseph adds up to a rather backhanded compliment if that were the whole tale. Joseph is remembered in this account and Luke's Gospel precisely because of his relationship to Mary, Maria mediatrix gratiarum, Maria radix et porta, Maria mater Dei. Joseph, patron saint of the Universal Church, unborn children, fathers, immigrants, workers, against doubt and hesitation, and of a happy death, &c.; it is through Mary that Joseph first came to know Christ.
Something to think about.
Alter nullus
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