As I have gotten older, the role +Joseph played in the economy of salvation has become increasingly important to me.
“Joseph, when He beheld the greatness of this wonder, thought that he beheld a mortal wrapped as a babe in swaddling clothes; but from all that come to pass he understood that He was the true God” Apostica of the Forefeast, Tone One
+Ephraim, in Hymn 4 of his Hymns of the Nativity, wrote that +Joseph caressed the Son as a babe; he ministered to Him as God. He rejoiced in Him as the Good One, yet he was greatly bewildered and awestruck at Him as the Just One. The Hymns have +Joseph holding the Christ and thinking “Who hath given me the Son of the Most High to be a Son to me? I was jealous of Thy Mother, and I thought to put her away, and I knew not that in her womb was hidden a mighty treasure, that should suddenly enrich my poor estate. David the king sprang from my race, and wore the crown; and I have come to a very low estate, who instead of a king am a carpenter. Yet a crown hath come to me, for in my bosom is the Lord of crowns!
+Romanos the Melodist in strophes 11 &12 of his Hymn on the Nativity, has Panagia explaining to the Magi, “I shall remind you, O magi, for what reason I have Joseph in my dwelling. It is for the refutation of all who doubt. He himself will tell what he heard about my child. For in his sleep he saw a holy angel who told him whence I conceived. A divine being, shining like fire, reassured him in the night and settled his thorny doubts. Therefore Joseph is with me to reveal that here is a young child, the pre-eternal God. Clearly he will report the things that he himself saw among the heavenly beings and mortals on earth—how the shepherds sang songs, and the shining ones sang with men of clay; how the star ran ahead of you to light your way and guide you.”
Holy Righteous Joseph,
Pray Unto God, For Us!
The Pope recently added a mention of St. Joseph to the Eucharistic Prayer.
“May he make of us an eternal offering to you,
so that we may obtain an inheritance with your elect,
especially with the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,
with blessed Joseph, her spouse,
with your blessed Apostles and glorious Martyrs (etc.).”
Thank You for adding this to the thread. I find a lot to think on in this passage.
**“Joseph, when He beheld the greatness of this wonder, thought that he beheld a mortal wrapped as a babe in swaddling clothes; but from all that come to pass he understood that He was the true God”**
Beautiful.