On this Solemnity of Saint Joseph, a brief insight into one who embodies a courageous and faith-filled response to the will of God:
"If Elizabeth said of the Redeemer's Mother, 'blessed is she who believed,' in a certain sense this blessedness can be referred to Joseph as well, since he responded positively to the word of God when it was communicated to him at the decisive moment. While it is true that Joseph did not respond to the angel's 'announcement' in the same way as Mary, he 'did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took his wife.' What he did is the clearest 'obedience of faith' (cf. Rom 1:5; 16:26; 2 Cor 10:5-6). One can say that what Joseph did united him in an altogether special way to the faith of Mary. He accepted as truth coming from God the very thing that she had already accepted at the Annunciation. The [Second Vatican] Council teaches: '"The obedience of faith" must be given to God as he reveals himself. By this obedience of faith man freely commits himself entirely to God, making "the full submission of his intellect and will to God who reveals," and willingly assenting to the revelation given by him' (Dei Verbum, 5). This statement, which touches the very essence of faith, is perfectly applicable to Joseph of Nazareth."