With a Father’s Heart

I was baptised Joseph after my Dad; although at home I was always called Anthony to distinguish whom my mum was telling off. I have always considered Saint Joseph as my patron saint. He has a vital part to play in this Sunday’s Gospel from Matthew, who narrates how Jesus came to be born.

In Matthew’s Annunciation story, Joseph is the primary player, not Mary. As head of the household, he receives the Annunciation. Through his betrothal to Mary, they were legally married but he had yet to bring her to his house and have intercourse with her. Discovering Mary was pregnant, his dilemma was should he shame her or quietly walk away. The angel came in a dream and told him to take her to his home as his wife because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. Joseph was key in providing Jesus with his legitimacy as an ancestor of David’s line. He was both guardian and protector. Joseph became the legal father of Jesus.

The scripture scholar, Raymond Brown says “the hero of Matthew’s infancy story is Joseph, a very sensitive Jewish observer of the law, who is brought through God’s revelation to accept Jesus, saving him from destruction. Henry Wansbrough, OSB, in his commentary on Joseph’s relationship with Jesus, says: “What a relationship there must have been! What responsibility, too! When Jesus calls God his “Father”, he is using the concept that must have been formed in his mind by his adoptive father, Joseph, the perfect ideal of the loving father. “

Two years ago, Pope Francis, in his Apostolic letter Patris Corde (with a father’s heart), on the 150th Anniversary of the proclamation of St Joseph as patron of the Universal Church, shared some personal reflections of Joseph who he described as an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble. He reflected on Joseph as a beloved father, tender and loving father, an obedient father, an accepting father, a creatively courageous father, and a working father. It is a short letter well worth reading. He ends the letter with this prayer:

Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son; in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.

Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father
and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage,
and defend us from every evil. Amen