“When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him.” (Matthew 1:24)
Imagine Joseph’s perplexity when he discovered that Mary was pregnant! He wrestled with himself, wanting neither to take her as his wife nor to publicly accuse her of adultery. But then God intervened and spoke to Joseph through an angel, telling him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife: a divine purpose was at work in her. Like Mary at the Annunciation, Joseph too was invited to participate in God’s surprising plan of salvation.
Matthew doesn’t record any of Joseph’s words in reply to the angel. All we see is his simple obedience. By deciding to take Mary into his home, he expressed the same degree of faith that Mary showed when she told the angel: “may it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).
Joseph accepted the responsibility of naming the child (Matthew 1:21, 25), an act that established him legally as Jesus’ father. Though he was begotten by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, Jesus was Joseph’s child. This humble, faithful carpenter fully embraced his role as guardian and teacher, father and guide, to the eternal Son of God.
Christmas is just a week away. In seven days, we will fix our eyes on a divine infant and his holy mother. We will hear stories of angelic choirs, amazed shepherds, and wise men from afar. But in the midst of the wonder and beauty of these tales, let’s not forget the one who made it all possible. Without Joseph, Mary would be an outcast, and Jesus would find no legitimacy as a rabbi. Without Joseph, the Virgin and her child would be exposed, vulnerable to gossip and attack. And most important, without Joseph, Mary’s child would be missing a vital image of his heavenly Father—an image of steadfastness, justice, faithfulness, and love.
Brothers and sisters, we owe so much to St. Joseph! Let’s be like Jesus and accept this righteous man as our own guardian, protector, father figure, teacher, and model of holiness. May we always be quick to look to his example and to ask for his intercession. He who formed our Redeemer can help shape us as well!
“Thank you, Jesus, for the witness of St. Joseph. By your Spirit, make me as faithful and trusting as he was!”
Jeremiah 23:5-8; Psalm 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19