We are all stewards

Excerpts from the Homily of Archbishop Romulo Valles during his Livestreaming Mass for the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary, last March 19, 2021 at the Archbishop’s Residence Chapel, F. Torres St., Davao City.

Brothers and sisters, we are happy as people of faith that we have once again this opportunity to celebrate our faith in a particular way, honoring St. Joseph in this solemnity under the title husband of Mary. As I said, the Holy Father in proclaiming the year of St. Joseph beginning December 8 of last year, husband of Mary. December 8 is the Immaculate Conception of the blessed Mother then up to December 8 of this year usa ka tuig dedicated to St. Joseph, the year of St. Joseph.

Again, please we remind ourselves that this is belonging to a beautiful tradition in the church. The cult of the saints that we manifest our faith in varied ways and one of that is our part of our faith that we have saints, very holy people. And they have the power of example in their lives, the beauty and force not in the bad way but just immense example, models for us. And because of this, nag-continue gyud ang tradisyon kining pag-apil nato devotions to the saints and the power of their intercession. As indicated, St. Joseph is there, up in the list of men and women, holy men and women who are there for us part of our belief in God’s mysterious reaching out to us. That St. Joseph is a powerful, beautiful example and model of faith and also a faithful intercessor for us.

Malipay ta dinhi sa Davao, because this is a universal feast but we have one parish dedicated to St. Joseph. A number one title, that they are holding their fiesta, the name of the parish is St. Joseph the Worker. But, salamat sa Dios naminaw ang taga St. Joseph, they are also developing the other title for the same saint, the title of what we are celebrating today, St. Joseph the husband, the spouse of Mary. Congratulations, together in this mass Fr. Bong Dublan, the priest in the parish and the faithful in the parish. We will pray for you and with you in a special way today.

Again, what could be the good news for us? That we can bring home, we can take in our hearts, so immense, beautiful ang liturgy. But allow me to get a few things that we can gather these things and keep them in our hearts. First good news, inspired by this feast that we are celebrating today is a reminder from the life of St. Joseph that we are all stewards. The beautiful gift and realization in faith that we are stewards. Asa na gikan nga reflection?

Atong basahon ang opening prayer, grant we pray almighty God that by St. Joseph intercession, your church may constantly watch over the unfolding of the mysteries of human salvation. The watch over is one dimension, being steward. To watch over, piniyalan, tig-bantay, custodian and St. Joseph also described as custodian, magbalantay. The stewardship also teach us to be humble, this is not our work, this is not our world and we are not producers of gifts, even our responsibilities as husbands and wives. St. Joseph husband siya, it is not the responsibilities are not produce by himself but he was as a good steward, mindful of the mind of God so, stewardship is a good realization for us. St. Joseph was a very good stewards watching over the gifts that God has given Him. Even at first instance he had questions but the Lord told him, do what I like. St. Joseph would pray, make us good stewards.