St. Joseph is one of the most beloved figures in the Catholic Church. It's easy to see why when you examine the role he played in Jesus' life as his earthly foster father, protector, and devoted husband to Mary. I walked into the adoration chapel a few weeks ago, and someone had left literature about St. Joseph on the table. I knew in that moment it had been set out for me. St. Joseph had been on my mind and heart a few days before at church when the priest at mass gave a homily about him. He spoke of Joseph in a way that made me think and reflect on the role of a husband and father in the family. I couldn't help but think of my father who is still with me and has been married to my mother for over 40 years. He has always been my protector, my strength, and my guide. He has set and continues to set, an excellent example for our family as a man of strong faith who is devoted to his wife, children, and four grandchildren. As I sat in adoration on this December day, I felt inspired to start reading out of Matthew. So many thoughts came flooding in as I reflected the character and strength of Joseph. The first thought I had was I wish we knew more about Joseph. The scripture references to his life are few and far between which leaves us with many questions about his earthly life. How old was he when he died? Was Jesus present at his death? He must have had more to say than what we see in scripture.
Many believe that Jesus held his earthly Father in his arms when he died. After all, among many things, Joseph is the patron saint of a peaceful death. Dying in the arms of Christ would surely be one of the most peaceful ways to pass from this world to eternity. It's a beautiful image depicted in several churches, including St. Bernard of Clairvaux in Scottsdale, AZ (pictured below).
The scripture we do have about Joseph speaks volumes about his character and strong faith. I'm going to examine and analyze a few places he appears starting with the Gospel of Matthew. In Matthew 1:18-2, The Birth of Jesus, we are told a great deal about the high moral character and faith of Joseph. I'm going to go a few lines at a time to discuss along the way. I do this often when I'm teaching, and love the discussions my students and I have in these moments.
"Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit."
Let's think about this for a moment ... Mary and Joseph are engaged. Before they even live together, Mary is found with child. When you look at the facts, the truth Joseph was facing at this moment, Mary's situation is scandalous, especially in the times we are talking about here. Mary would have likely faced death if it was found out that she had sexual relations before marriage. We see right at the end here that she conceives through the Holy Spirit. Joseph's love is unwavering here.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.
Joseph must have been devastated and felt betrayed at that moment. How could you not? There is something so human about this. We see these things happening in the present day all around us. We have all had a "Joseph moment" when we have been betrayed by someone we love. He had every right to call her out and shame her in his anger, but he didn't. He was unwilling to expose her to shame and decided he would divorce her quietly. His first thought goes to Mary, not to himself. Do you think you would be able to do something like this if you were in a similar situation?
Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary, your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus because he will save his people from their sins."
The angel of the Lord appears to Joseph and says just as the angel Gabriel said to Mary at the Annunciation and told him not to be afraid. There is an explanation given to Joseph of why Mary is with child, but the details are not clear how it's all going to happen. The dream does not state this. What is the great virtue of St. Joseph? At this critical moment, he was willing to surrender to a plan, design, and purpose beyond what he could see. He surrenders and accepts. His faith is tremendous; he feels beyond what he can see and imagine. Joseph is an excellent example of this attitude of faith. It’s a painful and arduous path. He can’t fully understand at the moment, but he accepts. He says “yes” in the way that Mary says “yes” in her fiat without fully understanding what he was signing up for.
"When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. He had no relations with her until she bore a son and he named him Jesus."
What do we see here? Simple, yet profoundly, obedience to the Spirit of the Lord. He was chaste and pure. We would expect nothing less for Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Joseph is a model husband that all men should attempt to emulate and exemplify in their marriages.
One last thing I wanted to point out is the similarity we have here regarding the importance of dreams and the strong faith displayed by both men when comparing St. Joseph with Joseph of the Old Testament.
And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it." So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace." Gen 41:15-16
Come to think of it several resemblances can be drawn between the two figures: both men had fathers named Jacob, both fled Egypt, and both suffered without complaint when confronted with hardships in their lives. I love it when scripture in the New Testament parallels figures and themes in the Old Testament. It shows the complexity and richness of our faith and scripture.
What a wonderful time of year for us to reflect back to St. Joseph and all he did to protect the Holy Family. His ability to recognize the divine guidance sent to him in his dreams literally saved this family on several occasions. We can look to St. Joseph for protection in time of need. He understands our hearts and can take our prayers straight to his son and our Heavenly Father.
#stjosephprayforus
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