Page 88 - Reflections on St. Joseph

We begin with a quote from Paul VI’s homily given on March 19, 1964. He says that Joseph “gave
Jesus his civil status, social category, economic condition, professional experience, family
environment and human education”. These are the life conditions required for the historical
reality of the mystery of the Incarnation and they are assured by Joseph in foce of his true
marriage with Mary, on which depends legally his fatherhood of Jesus.

John Paul II also affirms in “Redemptoris Custos”: “Together with human nature, all that is
human, and especially the family - as the first dimension of man's existence in the world - is
also taken up in Christ. Within this context, Joseph's human fatherhood was also "taken up" in
the mystery of Christ's Incarnation” (n. 21).

In light of the facts of the Incarnation of the Word, it is through Joseph as father that the
historical reality of the humanity of Jesus is inserted “into the human, social and religious order
which includes the census enrolment, the circumcision, the conferral of the name, the offering
of the firstborn, and the defense, sustenance and education of Jesus as true man.” (T. Stramare,
San Giuseppe nel Mistero di Dio, Ed. PIEMME 1992, p. 126-127).

We will take some time now to reflect briefly on the “individual” mysteries of the human
existence of the Incarnate Son of God in which St. Joseph has his role as protagonist, while
making it know that it is not our intention (nor possibility nor ability) to take on the exegetical
and theological meanings of the gospel passages which are cited.

1. The genealogy of Jesus (Mt. 1:1-16; Lk. 3:23-38).

Mt. 1:16 : “Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is
called the Messiah”.

Lk. 3:23 : “When Jesus began his ministry he was about thirty years of age. He was the
son, as was thought, of Joseph”.

For our reflection some of the consequences or conclusions that can be deducted from
these gospel passages are of interest.

a. Joseph assures Jesus of his royal descendancy from David, as foretold by the prophet
Nathan in 2 Sam. 7:12-16.

b. This concerns a legal descendancy (for Jesus) or fatherhood (for Joseph), which
substitutes the natural, given that the generation of the Word Incarnate did not come
about following the laws of physics.

c. This legal fatherhood of Joseph’s is just as true and real as that which is natural.

2. The Annunciation to Joseph (Mt. 1:18-25).
Mt. 1:20-21 : “Joseph, son of David, 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

64 Reflections on st. joseph