Joseph the righteous

St. Joseph the silent wonder. Everything we know about him we know from the scriptures. As far as I've heard there are few reliable sources that refer to the husband of Mary except the Gospel stories and of course the highly speculative apocryphal legends of this chosen man such as in, The Gospel of Joseph.

In that fanciful story we hear Jesus describe his early family life in Nazareth with Joseph and Mary to his Apostles. From there we learn that Joseph died at the age of 111, meaning he must have been in his 80's when he took his virgin wife Mary, at the age of 14, to be his bride. That very image strikes me as not only strange but downright creepy! There is great wisdom to describe Jesus' family life in Nazareth as the "hidden years." It is highly probable that the holy family lived a very normal, quiet existence surrounded by the daily tasks of ancient life and were counted among the righteous Jews. Jesus grew in wisdom, age and grace in the safety of obscurity with two loving, devoted, and faith filled Jewish parents. Of course there is that story about Jesus, the independent twelve year old, in the Temple of Jerusalem (Lk 2: 41-50). There the young man/God states to his parents, as I paraphrase: "I knew where I was, why are you two worried?" Kids, they just don't get it!

In short, we know some of what Joseph did from more reliable sources such as the Gospels. We know of Joseph's Davidic lineage and that he fully intended to take Mary as his wife, that an angel appeared to him in a dream and encouraged him to have no fear about the child that Mary,his betrothed, mysteriously conceived. That he fled to Egypt with his young wife and child to protect them from hostile intents. That he was present throughout the developing years of Jesus: childhood, teenage and young adult. That he shared in the Spirit's revelations about the future destiny of this young Jesus. That Joseph was a carpenter and probably stone mason by trade. It seems most likely that Joseph was still among the living by the time Jesus began his public ministry. After Jesus' famous scriptural interpretation of the Isaiah passage in the synagogue of Nazareth, we hear in the Gospel of Luke 4:22, "Isn't he the son of Joseph?" This seems to imply that Joseph was still with us/them. Beyond that, Joseph disappears into the shadows of Biblical history. He never speaks a word. So where does that leave us on this Solemnity of St. Joseph.

In our Catholic tradition it is not only what we know clearly stated, such as Jesus miracles, passion, death, and resurrection but what is either implied or revealed to us over time. As the early Christian community wrestled with the implications of "The way," as they referred to this new faith, more and more of the blanks were filled in. Yes, we know Jesus is savior of all; crucified, buried, and risen. This truth was the center piece of St. Paul's preaching. The early community was filled with charismatic gifts as we see particularly in the Corinthian letters. So the more detailed descriptions of Jesus' origins were filled in over time as the growing Christian population became curious. Eventually, his childhood and parental influence surfaced. Hence, the account of Joseph. Such beautiful traditions (small t) are a revelation of the Holy Spirit as the Church evolves in its understanding of the Christ.

Joseph calls us to be a righteous people. To be faithful to our particular vocations whether married, ordained, or single. To hear the voice of God where and when he calls to us and to respond with obedience and trust. To embrace the faith of our baptism and to have courage, no fear, and know that God's will is always for our good - the way in which we live out our salvation. Joseph is here for us as a silent model of faithful discipleship.

Saint Joseph, make us a righteous people before our God.