Meditation With Saint Joseph

Matthew chapter 1:18-24

"Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "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 bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means "God is with us." When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home."

Reflection

When we look at Joseph he seems to be a bit of an enigma. What do we make of this man who God found to be righteous? Just as God chose Mary to be the Mother of God, He also chose Joseph to be true father to Jesus.

What we learn from Joseph is the lesson of listening. Joseph's ears were not attuned to what people would think of him. Joseph listened to the voice of God which floats through our heart as a gentle breeze ripples past a still pond disturbing but not enraging the quiet water.

Joseph did not question God's Wisdom instead he obeyed God with filial trust and humility. Through Joseph we see how God can transform a gentle man into a man of great holiness.

This wonderful and holy man, was not a mindless being, rather Joseph co-operated fully with the Divine in fulfilling the Mission which God had entrusted to him and his beloved chaste spouse Mary.

At the heart of Joseph we see a man who bends to the Will of God in total and absolute self denial. There is no false humility, Joseph simply got on with what God had asked of him and from him we learn what true self giving is. The quiet depths of a man totally in love with his Hidden God. A God who he would hold in his arms as Mary rested...This is Joseph, a man after God's own Heart.