REFLECTING ON JOSEPH

Have you ever thought of what it would be like to be the earthly father of the Son of God? You might see it as being the ultimate stepfather. What a mind boggling thought.

Imagine his position, finding out that his beloved wife-to-be was pregnant. His first thought, an understandable one, was to call off the planned wedding without fanfare. But, then, an angel appeared to him and explained the situation. It was no ordinary explanation delivered by no ordinary being. Despite what anyone else in his community might think, Joseph obeyed God’s will in the matter. He believed. He was a man of faith.

He loved Mary and took care of her needs. Mary had also been visited by an angel. Have you ever thought what their conversations might have been like as they married and awaited the upcoming birth of the Messiah? They shared something no other couple on earth had – or would – ever share. It must have built a bond between them that was forever unbreakable, an intimacy of this shared event that no other man and wife would ever share. They were united together by the Divine Creator himself. God had chosen Joseph just as He had chosen Mary. Joseph was specially chosen by God.

Picture raising Jesus, the Son of God, from infancy to adulthood. Imagine Joseph and Mary having their own children, the siblings of Jesus. Think what thoughts must have entered the mind of Joseph. He was a man of insight and wisdom. It was Joseph who took on the role of teaching carpentry to his eldest son, a son who was the master Creator of the universe! Joseph was not only wise, but humble.

Reflect for a while on this man, Joseph. It might be instructive and beneficial.