March 19th is the feast of St. Joseph, the foster father of Christ. Most Catholics know the basics about St. Joseph, and why he is such an important saint in the Church. But perhaps since he is mentioned so often in connection with Jesus and Mary, we tend to forget about him. He sort of fades into the background. However, St. Joseph has become a very important person in my life recently, and I want to share with you all why I admire Christ’s adopted father. He is certainly someone who cannot be ignored.
The funny thing about St. Joseph is that he is really quiet, and not just vocally. First of all, he has no speaking parts in the Bible. He literally doesn’t say a word. What really defines him are his actions and his inner dispositions in handling the events of life. He was a descendant of King David, but never broadcasted his royal bloodline. He is described in the Gospels as a “just” man, meaning that he obeyed God’s laws (ie: Ten Commandments, Jewish law, etc.). He was an unassuming, humble man who was marked for a noble and great responsibility.
He respected Mary’s honor. Many people think that St. Joseph was confused about Mary’s sudden and miraculous pregnancy, which is why he was ready to quietly divorce her. In this way he could spare her the usual punishment under the law, because he was not convinced of her guilt. However, my parish priest explained this in a very insightful way. Very few people in the Bible are called just. Yet, St. Joseph was a just man, and that meant he obeyed the law. If he was truly doubting Mary’s innocence, and being just, he would have done the right thing by the law and brought the situation before the rabbi. Since he didn’t do that, it’s only logical that he was granted knowledge of Mary’s role as Mother of the Savior, and thus, he felt incredibly unworthy of the task before him. The reason he hesitated was because of the intense realization of what God was asking him to do. So when he was told by the angel in his dream to not be afraid to marry Mary, it was God’s way of saying, “It’s ok Joseph. I picked you for this job and I will give you the strength you need to follow this path.” When we look at it this way, one can’t help but sympathize with Joseph. I mean, wouldn’t you be nervous if you were picked to protect Christ and His Mother?
In spite of his initial feelings of unworthiness, Joseph threw himself into his destiny heart and soul. He lawfully wed Mary, and they loved each other as husband and wife, yet he always respected her virginity and preserved his own. He was the foster-father of Christ, and Christ Himself set an example for family life by subjecting Himself to the direction and guidance of His parents. Soon after Christ was born, St. Joseph had to lead Jesus and Mary into the deserts of Egypt to escape the wrath of a jealous King Herod. St. Joseph had a royal ancestor in David, yet worked with his hands his whole life. He was a tradesman, a carpenter who lived in a small town that few people ever heard of. He ran a business, making furniture and such for his neighbors. I’m sure he had to deal with picky customers and had to work long hours. He had chores and worried about how he was going to provide for his family. He set an example for everyone who has a job, for every father and husband. He lived his whole life not being noticed, but it didn’t matter because Jesus and Mary were always with him. He died in their arms, and has consequently been named the Patron of a Happy Death.
So why does all this information make him my new favorite patron? Well, he was quiet, and most likely an introvert. As an introvert myself, I find comfort in his example that you don’t have to say much to effect big changes. He had a job and worked really hard. I can imitate him by making the monotonous everyday routine a way to practice getting closer to God. Perhaps the most important reason I admire him is because he was a simple husband and father to the two most extraordinary people ever. When my Dad died, I felt like I couldn’t reach him, like he didn’t feel close anymore. I still struggle with that every day. It was after this heartbreaking event in my life that St. Joseph softly and quietly took me by the hand. I have come to rely on him more and more over the past two years, and learning about him has been really inspiring for me. So, thank you St. Joseph, for teaching me that even though my own Dad seems unreachable right now, I’ll always have a foster-father to guide me through the deserts of life.
