A Word in Season: Joseph's Way

My column this week at Patheos features an in-depth look at the life and spiritual attitudes of St. Joseph, the husband to Mary and foster father to Jesus. This article reviews the key themes found in John Paul II's masterful exposition of Joseph, Redemptoris Custos ("Guardian of the Redeemer").  Here's a sample:

The Catholic Church has long venerated Joseph for this single, powerful idea: it was into Joseph’s hands that God entrusted his most precious treasures -- his Son Jesus, and Mary, his holy mother. As Mary and Jesus are entrusted to Joseph, so too, does the Church, entrust itself to Joseph’s active patronage and paternal protection, as Patron of the Universal Church.

John Paul II’s 1989 Apostolic Exhortation Redemptoris Custos, (“Guardian of the Redeemer”), renews our understanding of this heroic patron saint.

Matthew 1:19 describes Joseph of Nazareth as “a just man.” This upright and devout man was destined to love and protect the future Mother of God.

According to Jewish custom, Mary’s betrothal to Joseph was the first stage of their marriage, before Joseph took Mary into his home. During this betrothal, Luke 1:26-38 describes the familiar account of the angel Gabriel’s annunciation to Mary, and Mary’s loving fiat -- her “yes” -- to being overshadowed by the Holy Spirit to miraculously receive Jesus into her womb.

Alongside Mary, Joseph, like no other person in history, shared the mystery of the Incarnation, up close.

In Redemptoris Custos, John Paul II notes a parallel “annunciation” story -- that of Joseph being visited by an angel as he searched to reconcile the news of Mary’s stunning maternity. It was the defining moment in Joseph’s life.

When… Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the holy Spirit. 

Joseph her husband… a righteous man… unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph… do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

…When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. (Mt 1: 18-24.)

God entrusts Joseph with Mary, and all the mystery of her motherhood. In this message God affirms Joseph as Mary’s spouse who will, by law, be responsible for Mary’s son, whom he will name. 

Note Joseph’s immediate obedience of faith, fully submitting his own will to the will of God.  We see such obedience over and over again in Joseph’s life.

Joseph responds to this annunciation as Mary did -- giving a positive fiat of action at a decisive moment. Joseph’s action says “yes” again to his marriage and “yes” to the new mission God ordains for his life.

The rest of the story.