Tuesday 19 March

SOLEMNITY OF ST JOSEPH

Psalm 89, 2 Samuel 7:4-5,12-14,16 Romans 4:13,16-18,22 Matthew 1:16-21,24

When the unthinkable happens

If Psalm 89 stopped at verse 37, it would read as a great song of thanksgiving. God is praised for his righteousness and celebrated for the eternal covenant he made with David, his anointed. But the unthinkable has happened. The present king in the line of David has been defeated in battle. Forever is no longer. Glory has become shame. In sorrow the psalmist cries out, “Where is your former great love, which in your faithfulness you swore to David?” He does not know the answer but he knows who to turn to in his distress.