Feast of St. Joseph, March 19, 2012

Feast of St. Joseph, March 19, 2012

 (Matthew 1: 18-21)

            Until the Son of Mary was recognized as the Son of God, His Mother’s honor had to be protected. Some man had to be called to the dignity of being Mary’s spouse. Today we celebrate this man’s feast, St. Joseph.

        Joseph was not only called to protect Mary, but also to be foster father to the Son of God. As long as the identity of Jesus remained hidden he was called the Son of Joseph and the carpenter’s Son. St. John tells us that Jesus was subject to both Mary and Joseph.

        Can we really imagine the sentiments that filled the heart of Joseph? The Gospel describes him simply as “a just man.” Think of the love and concern that moved his heart and his mind through the principle events of his life: he was a poor man chosen as the husband of Mary; an angel appeared to him and made him the only human confidant of the mystery of the Incarnation by telling him that his virgin bride bore within her the Fruit of the world’s salvation.

        Later there were the joys of Bethlehem at the birth of the Divine Child, then the shepherds coming and the rich magi from the east to adore the Child. Then the fear he must have felt when told to wake up and leave immediately for Egypt with the Child and His Mother, and along with this the hardships of the journey, the poverty they endured. Later, returning to Nazareth in safety and to a life of labor as a carpenter. Imagine his happiness in that home, living with the Queen of Angels and the eternal Son of God – both of whom loved him and honored him as the head of the family.

        Can we fully appreciate the glories of St. Joseph? To do that we would have to understand completely the mystery of the Incarnation, and we cannot. It is no wonder that St. Joseph was prefigured in the Old Testament by the Patriarch Joseph. St. Bernard compared the two: The first Joseph was sold into slavery and led into Egypt, prefiguring our Saviour being sold. The second Joseph led Jesus into Egypt to avoid Herod’s envy. The first was faithful to his master and treated his wife with honor; the second, too, was the most chaste guardian and honored his bride, the Virgin Mother of God. To the first was given the understanding and interpretation of dreams; to the second, the knowledge of, and participation in the heavenly mysteries. The first laid up stores of corn, not for himself, but for all the people; the second received the living Bread that came down from heaven, and kept It both for himself and for the whole world.

        When Jesus was to begin His public life, the role of Joseph was fulfilled. It was time for him to leave this world and to await in the bosom of Abraham that day when heaven’s gates would be opened. When Joseph lay on his deathbed, we can well imagine that Jesus and Mary were there. But can we imagine what words passed between them, as Joseph looked upon the face of the Son of God, who called him father? And can we imagine what great gift of understanding Joseph was given about his role in salvation history?

        St. Joseph, the spouse of the Virgin Mary and foster father of the Son of God now reigns in heaven with a glory which, though inferior to that of Mary, is marked with certain prerogatives which no other inhabitant of heaven can have.

        Our beloved St. Joseph is patron of all workers and patron of the universal Church. Call upon him in your needs. Honor him and worship his foster Child. Joseph will surely answer your prayers. +++