Joseph is the man that Mary is planning to marry when she becomes pregnant with Jesus. He too is visited by an angel in a dream that tells him who Mary's son is, and so Joseph becomes Mary's husband and raises Jesus as his own beloved son.
Joseph, a descendant of King David and a carpenter, loves Mary. He was planning to marry her and take care of her for their whole lives, even though they would not be able to have children together. Joseph loves Mary because she is good and because she loves the Lord, whom Joseph loves as well.
When Joseph finds out that Mary is pregnant, he is very surprised! He can't imagine why his beloved fiance would betray him and find another man - not to mention someone she's not even married to. In the cultural tradition of that time (but not by God's commands,) men in Joseph's situation could legally require that Mary be killed for her betrayal, by having stones thrown at her. Joseph would prefer to take Mary as his wife, because he loves her - but he is afraid of being accused of being the father of the new child when he is not. Still, Joseph is kind and knows that stoning Mary couldn't possibly what the Lord would want, so he chooses to separate himself from her privately and end their promise to marry.
The night that Joseph decides this he is visited in a dream by an angel who tells Joseph,
"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.”
Even though Joseph is stunned by this news - a child made by the holy Spirit! - he also rejoices. He doesn't question the angel's message, he doesn't ask for proof or show doubt - Joseph simply does as the angel instructs.
This means that he has to even take on the shame of other people thinking that he is the father of a child that was not made between married people. But Joseph trusts the Lord, and together Joseph and Mary get married and name the child Jesus. Joseph will not only feed and protect Jesus, but will also be the one to teach him the faith of Israel, and to even teach him his trade of carpentry.
Connection & Reflection: Imagine the Creator of All, the God of Israel who parted the sea and freed his people from Egypt being taught how to build furniture by one of the men he had made and holds in existence! The Lord humbles himself so much to become a child like us, but Joseph also humbles himself to know that it is God Himself who is living in his home, yet he still gives him the same love, instruction and care that he would give his own child. In all of Scripture Joseph is never recorded to speak any words, he simply follows the instructions the Lord gives him with patience and love.
Prayer: Father in Heaven, you made Joseph both gentle and strong. Thank you for making him like yourself, one who has the power enough to even destroy, but instead who chooses to be kind and give of himself to those he loves. Help us to come to know you also as our loving Father, and to never believe anything that says you don't care, or have forgotten us.
Conclude with your favorite family prayer, or an Our Father, Hail Mary & Glory Be.
No comments:
Post a Comment