SAINT JOSEPH, THE HUSBAND OF A VIRGIN, AND FATHER.
March 19, 2022
Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin
Mary.
“Blessed be Saint Joseph, her most chaste spouse.”
A Swahili proverb says: “A husband of a mother is a father.”
And an Ivorian proverb adds: “A father never resembles his son, it's the son
that resembles the father.”
St. Joseph or Joseph of Nazareth is one of the most
emblematic, mythic, and mystic characters in the Gospels. He is never mentioned
for himself, but in relation, either with Jesus or with Mary his wife and
mother of Jesus and for the mission that was entrusted to him. Not only is he
the most silent character in the Scriptures passages that refer to him but also
he disappears without any notice once his mission is over.
What image comes to mind when we think of St. Joseph? Here
is the question that comes to us today, while celebrating his Solemnity. We
could get some beautiful and provoking images of him in the Gospels. For
example, in the Synoptics, Matthew presents him as Joseph, Son of David, Son of
Abraham (Mt 1:1ss), Joseph, the betrothed “Just Man,” Husband of Mary (Mt
1:16-19); Joseph, Father and Protector of Jesus (Mt 1:20,25); Joseph, the Man
of Dreams (Mt 1:20-25; 2:12,13-14,19-21,22); Joseph the Carpenter of Nazareth
(Mt 13:54-55). So, all in all, for Matthew, Joseph is a just and obedient man,
the husband of Mary, a man with tremendous faith who has no other will or voice
than the will of God. One who sets aside all his personal project in
faithfulness to God’s project.
From Luke, Joseph is also introduced as the son of Adam, son
of David (Lk 1:32-33; 2:4); Joseph, the betrothed of Mary (Lk 1:27; 2:5); as an
obedient father and Jesus’ protector (Lk 2:21-22,48; 4:22). One nice image that
comes out from Luke’s Gospel is that Joseph is a man of the background; a man
of total obedience to God, both in fulfillment of the angel's instructions to
Mary and especially in compliance with the law of the Lord; and above all, a
model of a faithfully observant father.
Mark and John, with very few references, mention Joseph only
concerning Jesus, when speaking of the Lord’s human origin, from Nazareth and
carpenter. (Mk 6:3, Jn 1:45-46)
As we can see and read from all these references, the image
of Joseph and his personality are emblematic and mystic. One thing, however, is
that he is real, a human, a father, and a chaste husband. That is what we say
when reciting the eucharistic benediction: “Blessed be Saint Joseph, her most
chaste spouse.”
What we celebrate of him today is this identity as husband
and father: Saint Joseph, the husband of a Virgin. In the tradition and
sanctoral of the Church, Joseph is considered as the second greatest saint
after Mary his wife and mother of our Lord. He is the par excellence image of
humility and closeness to the Lord. Gentle, pure, just, prudent, and a man of
unfailing obedience, despite the trials. The Catechism can add that he was also
called and mandated by God for a mission as husband and father. CCC. 437.
The readings given to our today’s celebration emphasize that
image of Joseph. In the first reading, we read about the Davidic ascendance.
Through Joseph, the perennity of David's throne is assured. He introduces Jesus
in the line of David. Paul in the second reading speaks of faith. He refers to
the faith of Abraham that made him a righteous man. Paul says that Abraham
believed, hoping against hope. Joseph stands also as a man with such great
faith. One who, out of faith can put aside his own personal projects and plans
of life, and though not knowing where that could lead him, trust God’s plan.
His faith will also be credited to him as righteousness. Matthew mentions it in
his narration of the annunciation. He says, “Joseph her husband, since he was a
righteous man…”
The image of Joseph is emblematic, that is, it serves as a
symbol of a particular quality. We mentioned ahead some attributes and traits
of the man. It is also a mystic image. For, he stands as a person who
communicates directly with God and to whom God entrusts a specific mission that
not only changes his own life, but also the life of others, and our life too.
It becomes a more mystical image when it challenges all fathers and husbands to
incarnate his traits and characteristics.
In his Apostolic Letter “PATRIS CORDE” proclaiming the year
of St. Joseph, the Holy Father, Pope Francis said many beautiful things about
the man. He provides us with a list of attributes that could become a kind of
new litany of St. Joseph. He calls him: A beloved father; A tender and loving
father; An obedient father; An accepting father; A creatively courageous
father; A working father; A father in the shadows. In simple, Joseph was
nothing but a father with the heart and husband from the soul. Let’s pray,
through St. Joseph for all the fathers, biological or adoptive, may they always
be fathers and take seriously in heart their mission.
“Hail, Guardian
of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the
Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God
entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary
placed her trust;
with you Christ
became man.
Blessed Joseph,
to us too,
show yourself a
father
and guide us in
the path of life.
Obtain for us
grace, mercy, and courage,
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