building the house of David - St Joseph

In our first reading today, King David asked permission from God to grant him the privilege of building God a house, the temple.  Through the prophet Nathan God did not allow David to build a House for God.  Rather God promised David that he will build instead the house of David.  There is a play of words here.  You want to build the House of God.  No!  Instead I will build the House of David.

This promise means that God does not want to dwell in a house, God does not want to be confined in four walls of masonry.  Instead God wants to dwell with his people and God can only do that by “building” the house of David.  Joseph is the last of the house of David and through him Jesus was born.  The prophecy is now fulfilled. God dwells among his people - in Jesus.

Today as we honor St. Joseph let us honor him who fulfills his promises.