Extraordinarily Ordinary

Gospel: Matthew 13: 54-58

Our age of self-promotion and attention seeking always finds us seeking to do the extraordinary, to be in the spotlight in the midst of what is considered important.  Everyone wants to be part of a revolution and to be seen doing so, but no one wants to wash the dishes or perform the ordinary tasks of life upon which all other activities depend.  Today's feast reminds us of this fact.

Joseph was an ordinary man not seeking any limelight or extraordinary roles in society.  He was a carpenter who finds himself in an unusual circumstance.  He performs one extraordinary deed: he takes as his wife a woman with child not his own.  Thereafter he performs his ordinary tasks, providing for them in their daily needs.  He plies his trade as a carpenter, the only title in the Gospels by which he is known.  He utters not a single word in the Gospel narratives.  He performs the ordinary tasks of life, thereby teaching us a lesson.

Those who see the Christian life in terms of culture wars, media empires, flashy cottage industry "ministries" more often than night come to ruin in the world of self-promotion and attention seeking.  More often than not, their work erodes and undermines authentic religion and faith.  Those who nurture our faith are like Joseph: they provide us in the ordinary work of life with simple faith.  May Joseph's example inspire us to an ordinary life of work that nourishes others with simple faith and welcome of the Lord into our homes.