ST. JOSEPH SPOUSE OF VIRGIN MARY AND FOSTER-FATHER OF JESUS

[CENTRO ANTI-BLASFEMIA]

ST. JOSEPH SPOUSE OF VIRGIN MARY AND FOSTER-FATHER OF JESUS





ST. JOSEPH was by birth of the royal family of David, but was living
in humble obscurity as a carpenter when God raised him to the highest
sanctity, and fitted him to be the spouse of His Virgin Mother, and
foster-father and guardian of the Incarnate Word. Joseph, says the
Holy Scripture, was a just man; he was innocent and pure, as became
the husband of Mary; he was gentle and tender, as one worthy to be
named the father of Jesus; he was prudent and a lover of silence, as
became the master of the holy house; above all, he was faithful and
obedient to divine calls. His conversation was with angels rather than
with men. When he learned that Mary bore within her womb the Lord of
heaven, he feared to take her as his wife; but an angel bade him fear
not, and all doubts vanished. When Herod sought the life of the divine
Infant, an angel told Joseph in a dream to fly with the Child and His
Mother into Egypt. Joseph at once arose and obeyed. This sudden and
unexpected flight must have exposed Joseph to many inconveniences and
sufferings in so long a journey with a little babe and a tender
virgin, the greater part of the way being through deserts and among
strangers; yet he alleges no excuses; nor inquires at what time they
were to return. St. Chrysostom observes that God treats thus all His
servants, sending them frequent trials to clear their hearts from the
rust of self-love, but intermixing seasons of consolation. "Joseph,"
says he, "is anxious on seeing the Virgin with child; an angel removes
that fear. He rejoices at the Child's birth, but a great fear
succeeds: the furious king seeks to destroy the Child, and the whole
city is in an uproar to take away His life. This is followed by
another joy, the adoration of the Magi; a new sorrow then arises: he
is ordered to fly into a foreign unknown country, without help or
acquaintance." It is the opinion of the Fathers that upon their
entering Egypt, at the presence of the child Jesus, all the oracles of
that superstitious country were struck dumb, and the statues of their
gods trembled and in many places fell to the ground. The Fathers also
attribute to this holy visit the spiritual benediction poured on that
country, which made it for many ages most fruitful in Saints. After
the death of King Herod, of which St. Joseph was informed in another
vision, God ordered him to return with the Child and His Mother into
the land of Israel, which our Saint readily obeyed. But when he
arrived in Judea, hearing that Archelaus had succeeded Herod in that
part of the country, and apprehensive that he might be infected with
his father's vices, he feared on that account to settle there, as he
would otherwise probably have done for the education of the Child; and
therefore, being directed by God in another vision, he retired into
the dominions of Herod Antipas, in Galilee, to his former habitation
in Nazareth. St. Joseph, being a strict observer of the Mosaic law, in
conformity to its direction annually repaired to Jerusalem to
celebrate the Passover. Our Saviour, now int the twelfth year of His
age, accompanied His parents thither. Having performed the usual
ceremonies of the feast,they were returning with many of their
neighbors and acquaintance towards Galilee; and never doubting but
that Jesus was with some of the company, they travelled on for a whole
day's journey before they discovered that He was not with them. But
when night came on and they could hear no tidings of Him among their
kindred and acquaintance, they, in the deepest affliction, returned
with the utmost speed to Jerusalem. After an anxious search of three
days they found Him in the Temple, discoursing with the learned
doctors of the law, and asking them such questions as raised the
admiration of all that heard Him, and made them astonished at the
ripeness of His understanding; nor were His parents less surprised on
this occasion. When His Mother told Him with what grief and
earnestness they had sought Him, and asked, "Son, why hast Thou thus
dealt with us? Behold Thy Father and I sought Thee in great affliction
of mind," she received for answer, "How is it that you sought Me? Did
you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" But though
thus staying in the Temple unknown to His parents, in all other things
He was obedient to them, returning with them to Nazareth, and there
living in all dutiful subjection to them. As no further mention is
made of St. Joseph, he must have died before the marriage of Cana and
the beginning of our divine Saviour's ministry. We cannot doubt that
he had the happiness of Jesus and Mary attending at his death, praying
by him, assisting and comforting him in his last moments; whence he is
particularly invoked for the great grace of a happy death and the
spiritual presence of Jesus in that hour.


Reflection. -St. Joseph, the shadow of the Eternal Father upon earth,
the protector of Jesus in His home at Nazareth, and a lover of all
children for the sake of the Holy Child, should be the chosen guardian
and pattern of every true Christian family.

Article by:

http://www.jesus-passion.com/St.Joseph.htm



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