Page 109 - Reflections on St. Joseph

spectator of this crucial moment in Salvation History but a protagonist who links the Davidic
descendence with the absolute miracle of Mary’s Virginal Maternity.

Joseph is “the husband of Mary, of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah”.
The rest of the narration relates to us Joseph’s condition as spouse: having already celebrated his
“betrothal” with Mary, she was already “promised” to him and, according to the Jewish customs of
that time, he was waiting “to take her to his home”.

The way in which the marriage was celebrated at that time is described by Jesus in different
passage of the Gospels and the same with the neo-testamentary writings: the story of Cana (Jn 2:1-
12), the ten virgins (Mt 25:1-13) the joy of the bridegroom, the Pauline exhortations, etc.

Matthew’s explication: “This is how the birth of Jesus came about” has a lot to do with the description
of the paternal and spousal role of Joseph, and the way in which he carried out this great
responsibility. The Angel’s appearance reveals to Joseph his mission and to all believers Jesus’
divinity, the legitimate heir of David. Joseph is the first to receive the announcement of the
mission of the Son of God and the first to proclaim the Name which saves.

From the Gospel according to St. Luke (1:26-2:52).

Luke puts Joseph in second place given the intent of his narration. However, Mary is the “virgin
betrothed to a man named Joseph of the house of David”. The second place which Joseph holds is
fundamental and he is no less a protagonist in so much as that he is the explanatory background
for all of the principal characters: Jesus is the Son of God and heir to the messianic promises as the
legal Son of Joseph. The Magnificant is also Joseph’s song in so much as he is husband of the one
who has been looked upon in her lowliness.

Even if it is not mentioned in his infancy narrative since Mary is the protagonist, in Luke still Joseph
is the “father of Jesus”: “your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” Jesus’ response
is very deep in meaning, because in it is established the parental relationship of the Holy Family:
God is His Father (and the Temple his house), She is his Mother whose spouse has the visible role of
being father to the one who is subject to both.

Mary and Joseph’s marriage is a true marriage.

The fundamental elements of Scripture direct us in considering the form and consequences of the
marriage of the Mother of God. Joseph and Mary had celebrated their wedding and were waiting in
conformity with the customs of their day for him “to take her into his house”, when the Lord
announces to both of him his will. The availability of both of them is found in Mary’s virginal
maternity and Joseph virginal-legal paternity. Jesus is the Son of God born of Mary by an
extraordinary act of God; he is the Son of David, the Messiah, because he is the “son” of Joseph, the
husband of Mary.

At the same time, asking ourselves about the marriage of the Mother of God we can see that it was
a true marriage in as much as the goals of marriage were completely fulfilled: the union of two
souls (“your father and I ...with great anxiety”). This marriage was perfected in time in the education
of Jesus who “lived subject to them”.

Reflections on st. joseph 85