Guardian of the Mystery of God
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us the mystery of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth.
Eph 1:3-10
The opening chapter of Ephesians announces "the mystery" of God's will—that is, God's plan of salvation, a plan that was kept secret in the past (Old Covenant), but has been revealed in the fullness of time (New Covenant). God's will is that men should have access to the Father, through Christ, the Word made flesh, in the Holy Spirit, and become sharers in the divine nature (cf. Eph 2:18; 2 Pt 1:4). Together with Mary, St. Joseph is the first guardian of this divine mystery.
To be a guardian is to be a defender, protector, or keeper. The Blessed Virgin Mary "protected and defended" God's plan of redemption through her faith. Throughout Jesus' life, she was faithful to God's plan, especially at Calvary and during the event of Pentecost. Although Joseph's earthly life ended before the mystery of the Redemption was complete, Joseph's way of faith moved in the same direction: it was totally determined by the same mystery, of which he, together with Mary, had been the first guardian. The Incarnation and Redemption constitute an organic and indissoluble unity, in which "the plan of revelation is realized by words and deeds which are intrinsically bound up with each other." Precisely because of this unity, Pope John XXIII, who had a great devotion to St. Joseph, directed that Joseph's name be inserted in the Roman Canon of the Mass–which is the perpetual memorial of redemption–after the name of Mary and before the Apostles, Popes and Martyrs. (Redemptoris Custos, n.6)
As disciples of Jesus, we too are called to be Guardians of the Mystery of God through our faith in the promises of God and through the way we live our lives. We live in an increasingly globalized and interconnected world that is greatly influenced by secular worldviews and nonbiblical perspectives. These views will become increasingly more prevalent unless we speak up, debunk false teaching, and become heralds of the Gospel. Scripture is clear about the fact that we must be prepared to communicate the truth of the Gospel when given the opportunity―and to do it with charity.
St. Joseph, Guardian of the Mystery of God, pray for me that I may do my part to guard and defend the mystery of the Redemption and proclaim it to those that Christ brings before me. Pray the Litany of St. Joseph.
Daily Challenge
Can you identify the false teachings of the secularized world today that are leading us away from the truths of God? Identify one of these that perhaps has crept into your thinking or that of a family member. Ask for the wisdom to see anew through the eyes of faith, seek the resources from a solid Catholic source to equip yourself with a faithful response to speak the truth in love.