Page 41 - Reflections on St. Joseph

women of her time perhaps enjoyed. Luke tells us that it was Mary who spoke at the finding of
the Child, with both of them present, and not Joseph the father (cf. Lk 2:41-52). With the event
of the finding in the Temple, Joseph’s name and activities were not mentioned anymore in a
direct active sense but only in reference to the person of Jesus (cf. Mt. 13:55). His mission of
granting legal status to Jesus as a Son of Man and descendant of David had been fulfilled and
like an obedient servant who had done what he had to do, went quietly away from the scene.

Joseph’s gentle and humble disposition is not to be mistaken in any way for a laisser-faire
attitude or the attitude of one who shy away from responsibility, as some might want to
interpret the episode of the finding in the temple where he left the words to Mary (cf. Lk 2:41-
52). Joseph was thoroughly immersed in his duties and was responsible for the upkeep of the
family under his care that he was distinguished as the well-known carpenter of Nazareth (cf.
Mt. 13:55) and reckoned as a just man (cf. Mt 1:19). He was a father and head of the holy family
in every competent sense and he discharged his duties not only in relation to social demands
but above all in relation to the Divine will (cf. Mt 2:13).

To be a ruler, or better still a leader, is to have something entrusted to one’s care which could be in
form of treasure or an empire with the people who share the same idea/vision as persons from
among whom the leader is chosen, and who acts as his subjects. In every case where there is a leader
there must also be someone to be lead. So much more than governing over things, leadership is, first
and foremost, about governing others of the same specie as the one who leads. Joseph was a leader
in the home of Nazareth and conscious of the extra ordinary nature of his vocation, he became
humbler still. Where greater power reigns, the steward becomes humbler, especially if he realises the
trust placed on his shoulders. Joseph knew his place as the first member of the holy family – being
the head, yet he was conscious of his unworthiness in the affairs of the Lord. He was humble and did
not consider himself equal to any of the major protagonists of human salvation, namely Jesus and
Mary, with whom he lived. As a fervent Jew, he knew the distance between God and man and wishes
to respect that; he has heard of warnings against approaching the presence of the Lord (cf. Ex. 19:12;
Ex 40:1-38) and he has read that those who see the Lord face-to-face shall not live (Gen 32:30; Deut

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Reflections on st. joseph