The New Ahaz

A blessed Solemnity of the Annunciation to you!

In today’s First Reading at Mass, we hear of the promise of God to be with His people. He is Emmanuel - God with us. Always. Yet Ahaz the king did not believe this project through Isaiah. This is, however, not the first time that we have heard of King Ahaz; he is in fact a forefather of Joe (Matthew 1:9). As the genealogy of Jesus points out, there were a plethora of both saints and sinners in the family tree. Ahaz was among the “sinners”, in fact his lack of faith in the true God lead him to even sacrifice his own children to false gods (2 Chronicles 28:1-4). What a stark contrast to Joe, who because of faith, accepted a child to be his own! In a way, we can call Joe, the New Ahaz, or the Ahaz that should have been.

To Jesus, Through Mary, With Joe

Tomorrow is the great Solemnity of St Joseph, the Husband of Mary, and in just seven more days we will be celebrating the Solemnity of the Annunciation. In a way, we can call the Annunciation the completion of the Week of St Joseph. Last week, I recommended a novena of preparation. This week, I recommend a week  of celebration.

The number seven is a number of perfection and completion (“On the seventh day God completed the work he had been doing...” -Genesis 2:2). Thus, Joe is completed by the Incarnation. As Husband of the Holy Mother of God, he is the final piece of God’s preparation for the coming of Christ. He is the last of David’s lineage, he is betrothed to Mary before the Incarnation and he completes the Marriage after the visit of the Angel. In a way, Joe and Jesus complete each other (it is through Joe that Jesus enters and completes God’s covenants with Abraham and David). All this happens through Mary. Joe has no relation with Jesus except through Mary. For this reason, the Solemnity of St. Joseph, the Husband of Mary, is so important. Joe models for all of us that the best way to Jesus is through Mary.

Start Your Novena

Today begins the Novena of the Solemnity of St Joseph. This is a time of preparation. How will you prepare? Here are some recommendations:

• Joe was silent. Avoid unnecessary conversations.
• Joe was a refugee and homeless. Donate a little money to an organization that helps immigrants and the homeless. (e.g. CRS, Cleveland Catholic Charities, etc.)
• Joe was faithful in observing the Mosaic Law. Go to the Sacrament of Confession and Reconciliation.
• Joe knew the voice of the Lord. Spend a few minutes in prayer with God.
• Joe welcomed Mary and Jesus into his home. Call a family member that you haven’t spoken to in a while.
• Joe was a model worker. Extend a special ‘Thank you’ to a cashier or server.
• Joe died in the presence of Jesus and Mary. Pray for those who are dying.

To wear the clothes of Mary

The Carmelites have a strong devotion to the Brown Scapular (the article of cloth that hangs over the shoulder, where it derives its name: ‘shoulder’ in Latin is scapula).  By tradition, Mary appeared to St Simon Stock in 1251 and gave him the scapular with a promise that she would protect those who wear it. A couple days ago, it occurred to me the obvious reality that Joe would have worn clothes made by Mary herself, and in this way, the Carmelites imitate Joe. Truly it is an honor to be clothed in that which is given by the Holy Mother of God! It is no wonder then that St Teresa of Avila placed the reformed order under his special patronage. For this reason, I highly encourage you to be enrolled in the Brown Scapular if you are not already.