03-19-2021, 04:27 PM
ST JOSEPH A MODEL OF FATHERHOOD
SCRIPTURE READINGS: [2 SM 7:4-5. 12-14. 16; ROM 4:13. 16-18. 22; MT 1:16. 18-21. 24 OR LK 2:41-51 ]
This year we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of St Joseph as the patron of the universal Church. Pope Francis accordingly dedicated this year to St Joseph. The Church sees him as the model of fatherhood. It is true that the Church is very much Marian. Mary as the Mother of our Lord gives us the feminine dimension of the Church. Often, Marian devotion is seen as providing a balance to our spiritual life since the Church is fundamentally Christocentric in theology and in spirituality. Whilst we have Mary who is presented to us as the model of motherhood, we lack an earthly model of fatherhood.
Today it is more urgent than ever to find a model for fatherhood. Fathers, we have many, through the act of being biological parents of their children. It is not so difficult to become a father of a child. But many of our children today live the life of an orphan, even though their fathers are alive. We hear of many sad stories where the biological, foster-father, or god-father abuse the children under their care. Some are tyrannical dictators and even violent towards their children when they misbehave, brutally disciplining them without compassion and love. We have many untold cases where fathers abused their children sexually. Some fathers are irresponsible, not finding proper work but idle at home or are involved in gambling and immoral activities, creating problems, fear and anxiety for the family. Some fall into depression, get drunk and beat up their spouse and their children.
But fatherhood is a different thing all together. One can exercise fatherhood even if one is not a biological father. This was the case of St Joseph who became the father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was not the biological father of our Lord but all the same, he was asked to be the foster father of Jesus. The angel told him, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Mt 1:20f) By giving Joseph the right to name Mary’s son, Jesus, he was exercising his paternal authority.
His acceptance of the role of fatherhood made it possible for the scriptures and the divine plan of God to be fulfilled. In the first reading, God promised David that his dynasty would last forever. God said, “I will preserve the offspring of your body after you and make his sovereignty secure. (It is he who shall build a house for my name, and I will make his royal throne secure forever.) I will be a father to him and he a son to me. Your House and your sovereignty will always stand secure before me and your throne be established forever.” Jesus was legally Joseph’s son and therefore a descendant of David. That explains why he was born in Bethlehem in the town of David.
All of us in different ways are called to exercise fatherhood as well. Bishops and priests are called to exercise spiritual fatherhood over those entrusted to their care. St Paul was conscious of his spiritual fatherhood when he wrote, “I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children. Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.” (1 Cor 4:14f; cf Gal 4:19) Then we have god-parents and guardians, teachers and those in authority over others. All of us are called to exercise fatherhood by taking care of them, their well-being and their life. Fatherhood simply means that we assume responsibility in caring for those under our charge, ensuring that they are protected, grow in love and in faith.
This is why St Joseph is regarded as the Patron of the Universal Church. He was first and foremost the protector of Mary and a most supportive spouse. Joseph was conscious of his role of fatherhood in protecting his spouse and our Lord. When Mary was pregnant with child through the Holy Spirit, Joseph did not react harshly or accuse Mary of infidelity, or worse still, expose her publicly. Rather, he took the mystery of the incarnation into prayer, and finding the best possible way to protect Mary and the child. The evangelist noted that “Joseph, being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally.” Joseph initially could not make sense of it but he was not judgmental. And if indeed, the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit, he felt totally unworthy to be the father of the Messiah. Hence, the gospel said, he was afraid.
Joseph was also a protector of Jesus and the Church. When the child was born, there was no place in the inn. But Joseph managed to convert the stable into a throne for Jesus, the Son of God. When the child was under persecution by King Herod, he migrated to Egypt for safety. He was not afraid of hardship in a foreign country. He would have had to consider his livelihood and a place to stay in Egypt. But because the safety of the child and the mother was all important for him, he took the courage to flee. When Jesus was lost in the Temple, he and Mary went to look for Him. Indeed, Joseph was truly a protector and a caring father to Jesus and a spouse to Mary. He provided leadership for the family as the head of the family.
He was a most loving Father. His celibate love for Mary is a model for us all to imitate. Celibacy is more than just refraining from intercourse but it is a call to a chaste relationship. It is the freedom to love unconditionally without the need to possess a person. Most sexual relationships by nature are exclusive and possessive. But true love is when we set a person free. Possessive love is love of oneself before the others. It is rooted in insecurity and that is why it seeks to control the other person and eventually stifle the growth and freedom of the person whom we claim to love. Joseph was never self-centered. Celibate and chaste love means to be focused on those whom we love and not on ourselves. Joseph was a self-sacrificing man, who cared for Mary and Jesus, putting them before his own needs.
Joseph was the one who taught Jesus how to be a good worker, earning his own keep as a carpenter. He taught Him the value of honest work, earning one’s bread. Work was not something that Joseph neglected but quietly each day, he earned a living from his trade to take care of the family. No work is demeaning or too insignificant that we can despise. Indeed, Joseph helps us to understand that work is a means to build the kingdom of God and to realize our vocation in life. We are called to develop our talents for the greater glory of God and the service of our fellowmen. This is why St Joseph is also declared as the patron of workers. In our time, it is necessary to give dignity to all workers, to ensure that all have work to sustain themselves and most of all, that they are justly paid for their labour. No one must be discriminated or treated like a slave and not given their due remuneration. No wonder, Jesus is called a just man.
What is the secret of the spiritual fatherhood of Joseph? It is rooted in his faith in God. Just as Abraham is the father of faith and it was through his faith that future generations would share in his blessings, we too can share in Abraham’s blessing when we have the same faith that Joseph had. Joseph, like Abraham, found favour with God not because he observed the law but because of his faith in God. He never faltered and went against God’s will even when things did not turn out the way he wanted, as in Mary’s pregnancy or taking refuge in Egypt. He trusted in God’s plan completely and was obedient to His will when the angel told him to accept Mary as his wife. He was a man of deep prayer and contemplation. Indeed, the gospel mentioned four times when the angel spoke to him in a dream. His quiet nature allowed him to contemplate in prayer. Because he was a man of prayer, he was a man of faith. But it was a living faith, exercised in daily life as a model father, spouse and worker. Let us turn to him as our model and intercessor so that we can be also exemplary fathers to all under our care.
SCRIPTURE READINGS: [2 SM 7:4-5. 12-14. 16; ROM 4:13. 16-18. 22; MT 1:16. 18-21. 24 OR LK 2:41-51 ]
This year we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of St Joseph as the patron of the universal Church. Pope Francis accordingly dedicated this year to St Joseph. The Church sees him as the model of fatherhood. It is true that the Church is very much Marian. Mary as the Mother of our Lord gives us the feminine dimension of the Church. Often, Marian devotion is seen as providing a balance to our spiritual life since the Church is fundamentally Christocentric in theology and in spirituality. Whilst we have Mary who is presented to us as the model of motherhood, we lack an earthly model of fatherhood.
Today it is more urgent than ever to find a model for fatherhood. Fathers, we have many, through the act of being biological parents of their children. It is not so difficult to become a father of a child. But many of our children today live the life of an orphan, even though their fathers are alive. We hear of many sad stories where the biological, foster-father, or god-father abuse the children under their care. Some are tyrannical dictators and even violent towards their children when they misbehave, brutally disciplining them without compassion and love. We have many untold cases where fathers abused their children sexually. Some fathers are irresponsible, not finding proper work but idle at home or are involved in gambling and immoral activities, creating problems, fear and anxiety for the family. Some fall into depression, get drunk and beat up their spouse and their children.
But fatherhood is a different thing all together. One can exercise fatherhood even if one is not a biological father. This was the case of St Joseph who became the father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was not the biological father of our Lord but all the same, he was asked to be the foster father of Jesus. The angel told him, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Mt 1:20f) By giving Joseph the right to name Mary’s son, Jesus, he was exercising his paternal authority.
His acceptance of the role of fatherhood made it possible for the scriptures and the divine plan of God to be fulfilled. In the first reading, God promised David that his dynasty would last forever. God said, “I will preserve the offspring of your body after you and make his sovereignty secure. (It is he who shall build a house for my name, and I will make his royal throne secure forever.) I will be a father to him and he a son to me. Your House and your sovereignty will always stand secure before me and your throne be established forever.” Jesus was legally Joseph’s son and therefore a descendant of David. That explains why he was born in Bethlehem in the town of David.
All of us in different ways are called to exercise fatherhood as well. Bishops and priests are called to exercise spiritual fatherhood over those entrusted to their care. St Paul was conscious of his spiritual fatherhood when he wrote, “I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children. Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.” (1 Cor 4:14f; cf Gal 4:19) Then we have god-parents and guardians, teachers and those in authority over others. All of us are called to exercise fatherhood by taking care of them, their well-being and their life. Fatherhood simply means that we assume responsibility in caring for those under our charge, ensuring that they are protected, grow in love and in faith.
This is why St Joseph is regarded as the Patron of the Universal Church. He was first and foremost the protector of Mary and a most supportive spouse. Joseph was conscious of his role of fatherhood in protecting his spouse and our Lord. When Mary was pregnant with child through the Holy Spirit, Joseph did not react harshly or accuse Mary of infidelity, or worse still, expose her publicly. Rather, he took the mystery of the incarnation into prayer, and finding the best possible way to protect Mary and the child. The evangelist noted that “Joseph, being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally.” Joseph initially could not make sense of it but he was not judgmental. And if indeed, the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit, he felt totally unworthy to be the father of the Messiah. Hence, the gospel said, he was afraid.
Joseph was also a protector of Jesus and the Church. When the child was born, there was no place in the inn. But Joseph managed to convert the stable into a throne for Jesus, the Son of God. When the child was under persecution by King Herod, he migrated to Egypt for safety. He was not afraid of hardship in a foreign country. He would have had to consider his livelihood and a place to stay in Egypt. But because the safety of the child and the mother was all important for him, he took the courage to flee. When Jesus was lost in the Temple, he and Mary went to look for Him. Indeed, Joseph was truly a protector and a caring father to Jesus and a spouse to Mary. He provided leadership for the family as the head of the family.
He was a most loving Father. His celibate love for Mary is a model for us all to imitate. Celibacy is more than just refraining from intercourse but it is a call to a chaste relationship. It is the freedom to love unconditionally without the need to possess a person. Most sexual relationships by nature are exclusive and possessive. But true love is when we set a person free. Possessive love is love of oneself before the others. It is rooted in insecurity and that is why it seeks to control the other person and eventually stifle the growth and freedom of the person whom we claim to love. Joseph was never self-centered. Celibate and chaste love means to be focused on those whom we love and not on ourselves. Joseph was a self-sacrificing man, who cared for Mary and Jesus, putting them before his own needs.
Joseph was the one who taught Jesus how to be a good worker, earning his own keep as a carpenter. He taught Him the value of honest work, earning one’s bread. Work was not something that Joseph neglected but quietly each day, he earned a living from his trade to take care of the family. No work is demeaning or too insignificant that we can despise. Indeed, Joseph helps us to understand that work is a means to build the kingdom of God and to realize our vocation in life. We are called to develop our talents for the greater glory of God and the service of our fellowmen. This is why St Joseph is also declared as the patron of workers. In our time, it is necessary to give dignity to all workers, to ensure that all have work to sustain themselves and most of all, that they are justly paid for their labour. No one must be discriminated or treated like a slave and not given their due remuneration. No wonder, Jesus is called a just man.
What is the secret of the spiritual fatherhood of Joseph? It is rooted in his faith in God. Just as Abraham is the father of faith and it was through his faith that future generations would share in his blessings, we too can share in Abraham’s blessing when we have the same faith that Joseph had. Joseph, like Abraham, found favour with God not because he observed the law but because of his faith in God. He never faltered and went against God’s will even when things did not turn out the way he wanted, as in Mary’s pregnancy or taking refuge in Egypt. He trusted in God’s plan completely and was obedient to His will when the angel told him to accept Mary as his wife. He was a man of deep prayer and contemplation. Indeed, the gospel mentioned four times when the angel spoke to him in a dream. His quiet nature allowed him to contemplate in prayer. Because he was a man of prayer, he was a man of faith. But it was a living faith, exercised in daily life as a model father, spouse and worker. Let us turn to him as our model and intercessor so that we can be also exemplary fathers to all under our care.