The Nativity: At St Joseph’s side
Joseph’s mission. “... Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.” (Mt 1:16) It would also be Joseph’s responsibility to name the Word incarnate, as instructed by the angel “... you shall call his name, Jesus” (Mt 1:21).
God had foreseen that his Son would be born of the Virgin Mary, in a family just like any other. The life of Jesus had to be in this respect equal to that of other men -- to be born defenseless, in need of a father who would protect and teach him things all fathers should teach their sons.
The essence and meaning of Joseph’s life lies in fulfilling his mission. He was born to act as the father of Jesus and to be Mary’s most chaste spouse, in the same way that every person has a specific vocation from God.
The angel revealed to Joseph the mystery of the virgin birth of Jesus. He accepted and remained faithful to his worldly mission -- as head of the Holy Family.
Today, let us contemplate Joseph at the side of the Blessed Virgin, soon to give birth to her only begotten Son. Let us resolve to spend the Christmas season at St Joseph’s side, a place unnoticed as it is privileged. Joseph will teach us to live side by side with Jesus and Mary.
“Weariness fills men’s hearts ... makes them sleep, as the shepherds in fields near Bethlehem. What happened in that stable, in that cavernous rock, is of profound intimacy. Something that only happens between a mother and a child about to be born.
No one else is present. Even Joseph is outside, a silent witness. She alone is conscious of her maternity; sees the Child’s face at his first cry. The birth of Christ is her mystery, the mother’s festival.” (cf John Paul II, “Homily”, Midnight Mass 1978)
“Joseph contemplated the radiant happiness of this marvellous lady entrusted into his care. Enthralled by the way she gazed at her son with overflowing love; her every gesture so full of exquisite tenderness and meaning.” (cf F Suarez, “Joseph of Nazareth”)
If we stay close to Joseph these few days between now and Christmas, he will help us to contemplate this tremendous mystery; and to gaze lovingly at Mary as she holds Jesus in her arms. After the Blessed Virgin, Joseph is the person most endowed with grace.
That is why the Church has always been fervent in praising him, having recourse to him in times of greatest difficulty. In whatever need, the Holy Patriarch, with the Blessed Virgin, will hear our prayers.
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 1:161-7
‘St Joseph our Father and Lord, intercede for us.’
St Joseph, Spouse of Mary the Virgin
The Word was made flesh and came to dwell in the Virgin, who, while remaining a virgin, became a mother.
‘This was the mystery of Mary; Joseph did not know that mystery.’ ... that in Her whose spouse he was had been accomplished the promise of faith made to Abraham. ... that the prophecy which the prophet Nathan had made to David had been achieved in her, Mary of the stock of David. The prophecy and the promise of the faith, accomplishment of which was awaited by the whole people, by Israel, chosen by God, and all mankind.
This was the mystery of Mary; Joseph did not know that mystery. She could not convey it to him because it was a mystery above the capacity of human understanding and the human tongue’s possibility of expression. It could not be conveyed by any human means. It could only be accepted from God, and be believed. Mary believed. ...
There came a certain night when Joseph also believed. God’s word was addressed to him and the mystery of Mary, his spouse and wife, became clear to him. ... “Joseph awoke”, the Evangelist concludes. “He did as the angel of the Lord had directed him.”
Ref: cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, p129
The beauty and power of Mary
“In His own Mother’s countenance God has gathered together all the splendors of His divine artistry. Mary’s glance! Mary’s smile! Mary’s sweetness! The majesty of Mary, Queen of heaven and of earth! As the moon shines resplendent in the dark heavens, so is Mary’s beauty set apart from all other beauties, which are but shadows beside her. Mary is the most beautiful of all God’s creatures.” -- Pius XII
“Enraptured in the splendor of your heavenly beauty and impelled by the anxieties of the world, we cast ourselves into your arms, O Immaculate sweet Mother of Jesus and our Mother, Mary ... Receive, O most sweet Mother, our supplications, above all obtain for us that, one day, happy with you, we may repeat before your throne that hymn which today is sung on earth around your altar: ‘You are all beautiful O Mary! You are the glory, ... the joy, ... the honor of our people!’
“Amen.” -- Prayer of Pius XII: Marian Year, 1953
Ref: In “Two Months with Mary”, Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, 1984, p15
Dante Alighieri, one of the world’s greatest poets, wrote the most beautiful poem in honor of Mary --
Maiden and Mother, daughter of thine own Son,
Beyond all creatures lowly and lifted high,
Of the Eternal Design the corner-stone!
Thou art she who did man’s substance glorify
So that its own Maker did not eschew
Even to be made of its mortality.
Within thy womb the Love was kindled new
By generation of whose warmth supreme
This flower to bloom in peace eternal grew.
Here thou to us art the full noonday beam
Of love revealed: below, to mortal sight,
Hope, that for ever springs in living stream.
Lady, thou art so great and hast such might
That who so crave grace, nor to thee repair,
Their longing even without wing seeketh flight.
Thy charity doth not only him up-bear
Who prays, but in thy bounty’s large excess
Thou oftentimes dost even forerun the prayer.
In thee is pity, in thee tenderness.
In thee magnificence, in thee the sum
Of all that in creation most can bless.
Ref: In Rev Joseph A Viano, loc cit
Our Lady of Amiens, the cathedral. This church had for its first bishop St Firmin, who received the crown of martyrdom during the persecution of Diocletian. A part of the head of St John the Baptist is seen in this church, which a traveller, named Galo, brought there on his return from Constantinople, in the year 1205. — Locrius, Mariae Augustsae, lib. iv, c. 59. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm).
Our Lady of Amiens (France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html).
‘Notre-Dame d'Amiens’. France. Cathedral, the largest medieval building in France. ... (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm).
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