St. Joseph is most known to us as the husband of The Blessed Ever Virgin Mary. The genealogies in Matthew 1: 2-17 trace him back to Abraham, and Luke 3:23-38 traces his lineage back to Adam. Betrothed to Mary, when it became time to take her into his home, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. St. Joseph, being a “just man,” intended to divorce her silently and not expose her to shame. But an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream saying, Joseph, “son of David,” because he was in the house of the lineage of David, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy spirit. She will bear a son and you shall name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1: 18-25). When Joseph woke from his sleep he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife (v. 24).
St. Joseph then took Mary who was with child to Bethlehem of Judea, the city of David his hometown, to be counted in the census. Here, Jesus was born. (cf. Matt. 2: 1) At the end of eight days, they had Jesus circumcised and officially named. And when it was time for their purification, they brought Him to the temple and presented Him to the Lord—all according to the dictates of the law of Moses. After another dream alerted him of Herod’s evil plan to kill the Child, St. Joseph again did as commanded. He took Mary and Jesus and fled to Egypt and awaited. After they had heard of Herod’s death, they returned to Mary’s hometown in Nazareth of Galilee, not to Judea, having been warned in another dream, and made their home there. (cf. Matt. 2:22-23)
Under the tutelage of Joseph and Mary, Jesus was instructed in the Jewish faith and practiced its traditions. He grew in wisdom and in stature. Zeal for His Father’s house already consumed him; but he also learned obedience to his father St. Joseph and His mother Mary. (cf. Luke 2: 41-52)
Jesus was referred by his neighbors as the “carpenter’s son.” Most likely, He was taught the trade of his father Joseph. In spite of the fact that this was not to be His vocation in life, this apprenticeship was no doubt a solid and strong foundation that was built on. St. Joseph’s strong and steady hands formed and formulated Jesus’ early concepts of work, love and responsibility, sacrifice, self-giving and fidelity to God and family.
We, too, can look to St. Joseph as our heavenly patron for protection and guardianship, as well as a stellar example of fatherhood. He is our advocate for safe and meaningful work and fair wages. Both his sacrificial and chaste love of Mary and commitment to the mission of God in Jesus speak volumes despite St. Joseph’s silence in the scriptures.
The Holy Family
St. Joseph joins the Virgin Mary, his wife, in their intercession for God’s children. You might say, he has never left her side in this faithful ministry. He is the “just one” entrusted with the care of Mary and Jesus. He takes them into his home and heart. This loving care of Jesus shows us God’s mystery revealed at work—we who love Him are touched by Grace and filled with His love. The tragedy of unrequited love is never to be. In a loving relationship with Jesus, one is sanctified—our love for Him and His for us is itself our glorification, our faithful love and our salvation. We are encouraged by St. Joseph, Mary and those in close relationship to Jesus to enter into this mystery of sanctifying love—not really so mysterious, as it is revealed in the sacrament of matrimony. For God is Love and if we love Him, we are espoused by Him, thus saved.
Here in the Holy Family, St. Joseph is not simply a silent dreamer but a father and husband in every gracious and virtuous way. Mary needs her husband, and Jesus needs his earthly father, even though He is never without His heavenly Father. This too reveals something of the mystery of the family—It is here where loving takes place—where light gives birth to new life. God works through this primordial institution and sacrament—at once revealing Himself in the faithful and life-giving nature of the family, its sacrificial and redemptive heart, and always, its hopeful, thus joyful, soul. A vision of the kingdom of heaven is also revealed in this—already, but not yet reality, that is, the “domestic church” which gives rise to the Church. St. Joseph’s love is a radiant part of this love.
Consecration to St. Joseph
There is no competition between the blessed mother, Mary, and St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse. The Church encourages us to be a communion, a community, in Christ. We are one Body though many parts. The Communion of Saints serve in this same way—spurring us on to victory in Christ through their intercessory prayer, teaching, concrete witness and their interior life of faithfulness. Each in their own uniquely human and spiritual way, gives us a place to hold on to, like the wounds in the Body of Christ, that we may be moved from doubt to believe. Therefore, we should not be concerned that our consecration to the blessed mother Mary somehow prevents us from making a consecration to St. Joseph. If indeed, we are true to our consecration to Mary, we need not make any further promises to God. Mary is our most gracious host and intercessor. St. Joseph, however, can also play his part to help us make good on our promises.
Reflecting on the life of St. Joseph, the just trustee of the Immaculate Conceptions, Mary and Jesus, makes us wonder about the graces of this “son of David.” Mary, herself, did not shy away from calling St. Joseph, “your father” when speaking to her Son (Luke 2: 48). After all, He too was a “Son of David.” Herein lies a mystery to behold—the mystics, at Fatima, saw St. Joseph bless the world along with the child Jesus in his arms. All will be revealed in the Lord’s timing. We will be served well if we watch and wait in hope, prayer and good work. St. Joseph is a master of all these. May we listen, even in our dreams, for God’s commands and like St. Joseph, faithfully carry them out. St. Joseph, pray for us!
St. Joseph the Worker
A strong hand is needed to handle Thy Stone.
A faithful soul envisions a new creation.
I listen with my heart to His heavenly tone—
The Stone Rejected sings of our salvation.
How can I form Thee who art my Lord?
Thou, In whose image I am made.
What impression can I afford,
That in Thee has not been laid?
Thus my work will draw from heaven—
Relying on Thy trust, in the fall of passing youth,
Thy Graces Thou hast given—
Into my keep, Full of Grace and Truth.
I shall raise Thy Sanctuary. And my heart will not grow weary.
Written by Fr. Ralph Roberts, parochial vicar at St. Martha Church in Kingwood. 3/11/2021
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