Page 184 - Reflections on St. Joseph

The passage begins with mentioning Nazareth and Joseph in the same initial sentence.
Joseph’s name, more than Mary’s, is associated with Nazareth (see Mt 2:19-23, Lk 2:4, Jn
1:45-46). Nazareth is an insignificant town where Jesus will live most of his life, hidden with
Mary and Joseph, in preparation for his mission. This is also an important part of the
mystery of the humility of God, tied to the humble Holy Spouses.

In this same first sentence of the passage, Mary is introduced not simply as a virgin, but as
a “virgin betrothed.” It is significant that although conception is by the Holy Spirit, it is not
to an unwed mother. The Son of God becomes Incarnate to a betrothed couple, with a legal
father from the moment of conception. Due to his betrothal to Mary, Joseph is not only an
adoptive or “foster” father, who becomes father after conception or birth, but is father from
the first moment of conception. He was chosen by God for this role from the start.

A most important part of Mary’s identity as first presented is also that Joseph, her betrothed, is
“of the house of David.” The angel Gabriel explains the identity of the Son of the Most High to be
conceived in her by saying that he will be given “the throne of his father David, and he will reign
over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end.” This fulfillment of the
prophecies depends on descent from a human father of the house of David. Mary would naturally
presume that davidic lineage would be passed through Joseph, her betrothed, and that indeed is
God’s plan.

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Reflections on st. joseph