THE HUSBAND OF MARY AND EARTHLY FATHER OF JESUS

THE HUSBAND OF MARY AND EARTHLY FATHER OF JESUS

(A biblical refection on THE SOLEMNITY OF SAINT JOSEPH: THE HUSBAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY – March 19, 2020)

Gospel Reading: Matthew 1:16,18-21,24 

First Reading: 2Sam 7:4-5,12-14,16; Psalms: Ps 89:2-5,27,29; Second Reading: Rom 4:13,16-18,22

 

The Scripture Text

“ …, Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit, and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit, she will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife. (Matthew 1:16,18-21,24 RSV)

The dignity, mission and prerogatives of Saint Joseph are without parallel. No other human being, except the Blessed Virgin Mary, has risen to such heights of holiness.

What was the role of Saint Joseph in the life of Jesus? Someone might think he had no role because he was not the biological father of Jesus. Yet the facts are totally different. They show what a vital and indispensable role Joseph played. The Word of God became flesh, and was received and brought up in the family of Saint Joseph. As husband of Mary, it was his privilege to look after the God who became man. He was the “father” of Jesus, not by blood relationship, but by law and true paternal bonds.

As a matter of fact, during the earthly life of Jesus, people in general considered Him the son of a workman, a carpenter. We hear people asking, “Is not this the carpenter’s son?” (Matthew 13:55 RSV). As a woodworker, Joseph earned the daily bread for Blessed Mary, for Child Jesus and for himself. On this account Joseph is the model of workers and the patron of all workers. He stands out as the ideal of workers, of earnest work and respectable livelihood. He also taught Jesus the art of carpentry, and the Lord, as a young man, need to help him in his workshop. Jesus indeed belonged to Joseph’s family by right of Joseph’s marriage to the mother of Jesus, and Jesus enjoyed Joseph’s fatherly love and care. Jesus loved, respected and obeyed Joseph and Mary.

Remember with what delicacy Joseph, himself suffering great agony, planned to put away Mary quietly. That was the best choice he had under the circumstances: to obey the law without exposing Mary to any harm. But when the angel of the Lord revealed to him the mystery of the virginal conception of Jesus and asked him to take Mary as his wife, Joseph recognized this as the will of God and accepted it in faith and submission, and took Mary as his wife. The obedience of Joseph was inspired by a deep faith. He had extraordinary faith, as he took in good spirit all the extraordinary and unheard of things that took place in the Holy family.

Imagine the difficult journey to Bethlehem and other difficulties surrounding the birth of Jesus. Remember the difficulties they experienced when they escaped to Egypt, lived there in an entirely new environment, and back to Palestine. Imagine also the trying and painful search for the lost child Jesus that lasted for three days, etc. Joseph fully participated in the parental love and responsibility of Mary towards Jesus.

Truly Joseph had a vital role in the drama of the Incarnation. Through him Jesus became a descendant of David. It was Joseph who named Jesus, And Jesus obeyed Joseph.

Saint Joseph was the guardian of the Holy Family of Nazareth and the model of carrying out with love and care out daily domestic duties. He was the true and pure spouse of Mary. Together they planed, worked, suffered, and shared joys and sorrows. Joseph and Mary were the first and the main co-operators in our redemption. They prepared the REDEEMER. As protector and guardian of the Holy Family, Joseph is the saint of divine providence.

We see in Saint Joseph a docile instrument in the hands of the heavenly Father. He is a model of faith, hope, love for God, charity, obedience, poverty, chastity, humility, dutifulness, meekness and every other virtue. How prudent and peace ful he was in conflict situations!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, We are very grateful that You love us and have a perfect plan for our lives. At the beginnings of our salvation, when Mary conceived Your Son and brought Him forth into the world, You placed them under Joseph’s watchful care. May his prayer still help Your Church to be an equally faithful guardian of Your mysteries, and a sign of Christ to mankind. Amen.

Jakarta, 19 March  2020 

A Christian Pilgrim