Joseph was raised by family and community steeped in the Worship and Word of God to trust that God loved him.  When visited by the angel of the Lord, Joseph tacitly listened.  He acted in accord with his faith even as that faith would be sorely tested by recurring visits from this angel. 

The Incarnation starts with unconventional formation of a family.  Mary’s spoken Fiat (“let it be according to your will”) led to the pregnancy but created a bewildering problem for her betrothed, Joseph.  By all accounts, Joseph was a good and faithful Jew and therefore knowledgeable in the Scripture including the prophecies of a Messiah, the One Anointed by God, who would come to God’s Chosen people through the line of King David of which Joseph descended.  Joseph listens to the angel of God telling him that Mary’s pregnancy comes through the power of the Holy Spirit and that Joseph should take Mary into his house, which Joseph does and I would suspect, he does so not with understanding but joyful in serving the Lord. Joseph has the examples of all of Jewish history to show him the wisdom of his decision to do what God tells you no matter how mystifying. 

Two people living as one in a covenantal relationship (marriage) mirrored, then as now, the everlasting covenantal relationship between God and mankind – distinctly different roles but one in being.  When Joseph and Mary had to trek to Bethlehem (near Jerusalem) for the census, Joseph did the best he could to find a place where Mary, now in labor, could fulfill her part in bringing Salvation to the world. Joseph resourcefully found food, water and whatever else they needed on this journey.  Forty days after the birth of Jesus, Joseph followed Jewish tradition and brought Mary and Jesus to the Temple with an offering of two turtle doves as the parents presented their first born to the Lord.  Here the righteous and devout man, Simeon, proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah.  The elderly prophetess, Anna, likewise recognized Jesus as the Redeemer of Israel.  Imagine the tumult going on in Joseph’s head. From the start, Joseph trusted God and then gradually learned his part in the unfolding theodrama as he met the challenges of his obedience to God in the life of his family.  Sometime after another mind-expanding visit by the Magi, Joseph was visited yet again by the angel of the Lord when a fearful Herod responded violently to the news of a rival king being born not far from his palace. Promptly following this latest angelic visit, Joseph gathered up Mary and Jesus to set out for a foreign land, Egypt, just as his ancestor, Jacob, had done centuries earlier seeking security.  Consider that Joseph had not only to protect his family but also to see to their sustenance throughout this period.  Finally, Joseph listened again when the angel of God beckoned him to return to Nazareth after Herod had died. 

Jewish tradition and spiritual community prepared Joseph for this role. One annual trip to Jerusalem for Passover became especially notable when 12 yr old Jesus stayed back conversing with and impressing the teachers in Jerusalem without advising his parents.  Jesus’ response, “Did you not know I must be in my Father’s house?” settled on the hearts of Joseph and Mary who again trusted God more than needing to understand God’s ways. 

Observe this covenantal relationship where each person fulfills a complementary role trusting that the other also works out of love.  Note how anxiety fades while peace of mind settles in under such a relationship.  Then, remember the numerous biblical comparisons of marriage on earth with marriage of the Church and Jesus, all with distinct identities but one in being in eternity.

At different times, Joseph and Mary were each visited by an angel of the Lord for different but related purposes.  This husband and wife trusted each other to fulfill their respective parts in this mystery.  They didn’t understand or imagine God’s plan but they both trusted God and worked as one in obedience to the Lord doing whatever he told them. Joseph never spoke a word in the Gospels but he and Mary were two living as one in the covenant of marriage and very much in accord with Mary’s last spoken words in the Gospels.  Referring to Jesus, Mary said to the servers at the wedding at Cana, “Do whatever He tells you”. 

St. Joseph, pray for us.

Solemnity of St. Joseph, March 19