Not necessarily. The Bible specifically mentions Jesus had brothers and sisters, including most notably St. James-—to whom CNN devoted an entire program to a few nights ago. I am NOT a fan of CNN, but that was an interesting and accurate program. Since I have no problem believing that Mary and Joseph consummated their marriage after Jesus’s birth, I have no problem in believing other brothers and sisters followed Jesus’s birth. I don’t feel compelled to make things up, like they were Joseph’s children from before his marriage to Mary or they were cousins. Don’t need to go there. Content and satisfied reading the Bible as it is written. Don’t need any spin. The Lord commands us to be fruitful and multiply and physical intimacy is God’s gift between a husband and a wife. Don’t see any reason why God’s most precious gifts would have been denied to Mary and Joseph.
The Lord commands us to be fruitful and multiply and physical intimacy is God’s gift between a husband and a wife. Don’t see any reason why God’s most precious gifts would have been denied to Mary and Joseph.
Joseph: Mary; are you asleep?
Mary: You bozo; you KNOW I have to do my prayers.
Joseph: I was just wondering if....
Mary: You hornytoad; you KNOW I have had this HEADACHE for nigh unto these 12 years or so!
Joseph: A fella can HOPE eternally; can't he?
Mary: Hope all you want; you ain't gettin' it: I HAVE to remain a VIRGIN for my FOLLOWERS!!
Joseph: What 'followers'?
Mary: The ones who will be bombarding me forEVER with their heartfelt requests!!!
Joseph: I may as well be dead...
Mary: What did you just mumble? I ain't DEAD; just FRIGID. Now roll OVER and go to sleep.
Mary: Son? are You listening?? I've got a bunch more good, Catholic prayers for you to deal with. Ready?