Page 192 - Reflections on St. Joseph

OSJ YOUTH APOSTOLATE

PATERNAL
A Continuity ST.

EDUCATIVE

of
JOSEPH’S PRESENCE

Fr. Alfie Polistico, OSJ

I. Introduction

T
his work is a reflection on OSJ Youth Apostolate in the light of St. Joseph as a fearful Jew.
Mt 1:18-25 will serve as the main biblical reference of this reflection. In interpreting the
said pericope, I will use the Theory of Religious Awe through which we shall discover the
notable virtues of St. Joseph which aided his paternity of Jesus. After showing the virtues of the
saint, I will contend that the same virtues are needed by the Oblates today in order to continue
Joseph’s paternity of Jesus to the youth for these virtues constitute genuine witnessing.

II. St. Joseph’s Fear: The Root of His Justice, Wisdom and Obedience

In Mt 1:19, we read that Joseph, “being a
righteous man and unwilling to expose her
[Mary] to public disgrace, planned to dismiss
her quietly” (NRSV). Matthew’s account of
Joseph planning to divorce Mary has been
interpreted in many ways. Among them, three
theories emerged as the most popular:
“Assumed Adultery,” “Incomprehension,” and
1
“Religious Awe.”

a. His fear is religious justice

Nil Guillemette, SJ, one of the prolific bible
scholars today, favors and argues well for the
Theory of Religious Awe. “In this theory it is
assumed that Joseph knew of the virginal
conception of Mary before the message of the
angel was communicated to him. And, in
typical Jewish awe or fear at the presence of
God, his instinctive reaction was to draw
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Reflections on st. joseph