Saint Joseph

   The gospels tell us very little of Saint Joseph.  In fact, not one word of his is found in any of the four gospels.  What little we know of him shows him to be was a loving, caring man.  A faithful husband to Mary and foster father to our Lord Jesus Christ.

   Joseph was chosen by God to be the earthly father of Jesus just as Mary was to be His mother.  Just as Mary could have chosen not to accept God’s plan, Joseph could have refused as well.  Instead he accepted the mission asked of him.

   Joseph and Mary were betrothed when Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel and told that she would be the mother of God.  Betrothal in the Jewish culture was far more than what we consider as being engaged.  It was a marital commitment in all things except consummation.

   When he learned of Mary’s pregnancy he was surely confused about what to do.  Matthew tells us, “Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly.” (Matt 1: 19).  He could have accused her of adultery and publicly humiliated her.  He cared for Mary and chose instead to send her away and forget.

   An angel told Joseph that the baby Mary was carrying was conceived of the Holy Spirit.  He was a faithful man and believed the angel’s explanation.  He took Mary as his wife and accepted the child she would bear as his own son.

   He was a protector.  He was warned by an angel to take Mary and Jesus and escape to Egypt.  Herod, fearful for his kingship, had ordered the murder of all boy babies in Bethlehem.  Joseph took his family to Egypt and remained there until Herod had died.

   Joseph was a carpenter; he worked with his hands.  As Jesus grew he learned his foster-father’s trade.  Father and son working together; the son learning from his father’s guidance and love. 

   We don’t know when Joseph died or the cause.  The only thing we hear of him after their return from Egypt was the finding of Jesus in the temple (see Luke 2: 41-52).  By the time Jesus began his ministry it seems that Joseph was no longer with them.

   How blessed Joseph was to have had the opportunity to assist in raising the savior of the world.  What love he showed to both Jesus and Mary as he protected and provided for them.  He is the perfect example of a loving husband and father.  All fathers would do well to look to Joseph as their example and love, protect, nurture and teach their children as he did.

   As a father of both natural and adopted children I’ve looked to Joseph for inspiration and guidance.  My prayer is that I have been half the father to my children that Joseph was to his son, Jesus.  May God bless all fathers and mothers with the greatest of love for their children.