December 18, 2022
4th Sunday of Advent A
I was getting ready to travel to Europe. I asked my mom if she wanted anything. She replied, “A small wooden carving of St. Joseph.†Then I assumed she had a devotion to St. Joseph. Upon reflection, looking back, I recall something more. My mom was very close to her own father, my grandfather.
In the piety, devotion and teaching of the Catholic Church, Mary has a privileged, elevated place. In 431, at the Ecumenical Council of Ephesus, Mary was given the Greek title of “Theotokos†meaning “Mother of God†or “God Bearer.†As the Church exalted Mary as the Mother of God’s Son Jesus, St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus on earth, was purposely given little attention to safeguard the divinity of Jesus, his paternity as God’s Son. Although it has taken considerable time, Joseph has been recognized for the essential role he played. Today he has two feast days, March 19th - St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and May 1st - St. Joseph the Worker. In 1870, Pope Pius IX declared Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church. What a comeback!
This special and belated interest in Joseph is grounded in Scripture. In the Gospel according to St. Luke, Joseph, being of the House and family of David, journeys to the city of David, Bethlehem, to be enrolled in a census, with Mary his betrothed, who is with child. Joseph is with Mary at the birth of her son and with Mary when they present the child Jesus at the Temple in Jerusalem. When Jesus is twelve years old, Joseph and Mary take Jesus on pilgrimage to Jerusalem. In our Gospel today according to St. Matthew, an unnamed angel comes to Joseph in a dream and says, “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.†When the child Jesus’ life is threatened by King Herod, Joseph leads Mary and Jesus in exile to Egypt and, when it is safe to return, Joseph takes his family to Nazareth.
Joseph plays a significant role in those hidden years in Nazareth. He takes Jesus to the synagogue and teaches Jesus a trade. Jesus is known as the “carpenter’s son.†When Jesus begins his adult public ministry, there is no mention of Joseph. Joseph recedes into the background. But he has a lasting influence on Jesus. As an adult when Jesus refers to God as his heavenly Father, Jesus uses the Aramaic word “Abba†a personal and affectionate term used by a son in speaking to his father. “Abba†is likely the same title Jesus uses in addressing Joseph.
In the Gospels according to St. Luke and St. Matthew, we have no record of Joseph saying anything. He is remembered by his actions. He is our Advent hero. We admire qualities in Joseph. He is a faithful and observant Jew. He keeps the Torah. He is both a man of prayer and a man of action. He balances justice with God’s mercy. He shows exceptional compassion to Mary when she if found with child. Joseph is open to God’s will and becomes part of God’s plan of salvation. He is the protector and provider of his family. In his quiet way, Joseph sets a high bar for husbands and fathers. Indeed, all of us.
On this fourth Sunday of Advent, like St. Joseph, we are invited to welcome Mary and Jesus into our homes and into our hearts. Google “Litany of St. Joseph.†Pray the Litany of St. Joseph when you light the 4th candle in your Advent Wreath. St. Joseph, pray for us.
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2nd Sunday of Advent
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Christmas
