To St. Joseph
'Twas taught at school at home about the Holy Family, St. Joseph is the foster Father of Jesus, end of discussion. I knew little about him, and its just last years advent when I've gotten to really appreciate St. Josephs role in our salvation, and that happened when I was meditating on the 3rd Joyful Mystery, The Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
In loving Jesus, He opened many doors for me, one of which lead me to St. Joseph, originally, when he knew that the Blessed Virgin was pregnant, he wants to QUIETLY divorce her. ( see Matthew 1:18-19). I put emphasis on St. Josephs response, quietly! He don't want to shame the Blessed Virgin, He could have told to the authorities about the pregnancy but He did not! Lets take that personal, say for example, I'm a man and engaged to a woman, and she gets pregnant, in our little hometown where all people knew each other, I will feel ashamed and betrayed! I think, I'll be outraged, how could you?? This scene is not news to our modern times, this still happens, maybe happened to your friend, brother, cousin and even you- whose reading this, right? How did they respond?
The Blessed Virgin can be stoned to death, during those times, if one is engaged they can not live together after 1 year of being betroth, so it is unlawful for a woman to become pregnant during this period. But, St. Joseph said yes, His fiat (see Matthew 1:20-23) made it possible for the Blessed Virgin not be stoned to death and go on with her pregnancy, giving birth now to our Lord Jesus.
This scene is a reality as well nowadays is it not? We've heard it a lot, can you recall how your relatives, neighbors, friends how they react? Gossips here and there, everywhere, how the news spread like wildfire? All wants to give their opinion why He agreed this and that, he could have find another woman better than her and that.
St. Joseph faced that, in a much heavier weight. But he did not mind what people will say, he gave up his will, desires emptied himself to the will of God. Oh the irony of self-denial, by giving up ONESELF, many will be blessed. It's heroic and yet I was not able to thank St. Joseph for that.
His role on the word becoming flesh is huge! And God Himself, entrusted His only Son to be taken cared of by him. There's this light that came to me, St. Joseph is so privilege to become the foster father of Jesus, God the Father allowed His only Son Jesus to call St. Joseph His Father. God loves St. Joseph that much. But you think during those times St. Joseph thought about that?
I dont know as well, but see, how many times in our life we thought God is taking something away from us, but in truth, He is gifting us. St. Joseph maybe, when He knew about the Blessed Virgins pregnancy asked God why, maybe he did or not, but we so often do right?
I have this thought that maybe St. Joseph pitied himself for such in a shameful situation, all eyes on them but, if we look at it now, how privilege St. Joseph is. May we be like St. Joseph, even if He did not understood with all the human limitations that we all have, He was steadfast with His faith, faithfully submitting to God, staying obedient even if the situation tells us otherwise.
- the life of the Blessed Virgin from the Vision of Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerich
"Mary remained with the donkey at the very entrance of the street while Joseph sought a lodging in the nearest houses—in vain, for Bethlehem was full of strangers, all running from place to place. Joseph returned to Mary, saying that as no shelter was to be found there, they would go on farther into the town. He led the donkey on by the bridle, and the Blessed Virgin walked beside him. When they came to the beginning of another street, Mary again stopped by the donkey, and Joseph again went from house to house in vain seeking a lodging, and again came sadly back. This happened several times, and the Blessed Virgin often had long to wait. Everywhere the houses were filled with people, everywhere he was turned away ... Joseph led the Blessed Virgin to [a] tree, and made her a comfortable seat against its trunk with their bundles, so that she might rest while he sought for shelter in the houses near. ... At first Mary stood upright, leaning against the tree. Her ample white woollen dress had no girdle and hung around her in folds: her head was covered with a white veil. Many people passed by and looked at her, not knowing that the Redeemer was so near to them. She was so patient, so humble, so full of hopeful expectation. Ah, she had to wait a long, long time; she sat down at last on the rug, crossing her feet under her. She sat with her head bent and her hands crossed below her breast. Joseph came back to her in great distress; he had found no shelter. His friends, of whom he had spoken to the Blessed Virgin, would hardly recognize him. He was in tears and Mary comforted him."
I wept when I read this, you see? How difficult their situation were? Little they did know that the Son of God was to be born in a manger. Who among you here are parents? All wants the best they could give to their children right? Can you imagine how they felt that the Messiah was born in the manger? I wonder if they felt their inadequacies and all yet, trusted God and though was not “maybe” able to fully understand what the situation calls, they remained faithful to God.
To Jesus
Please let us take a moment to imagine an infant, so vulnerable, defenseless, dependent, with tiny little hands and fingers and looks at you. Is it not adorable? We say, awww so cute! Our Lord Jesus Christ was that in the arms of the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph.
He, though God allowed Himself to be vulnerable fully dependent on humans. How humble our God is, right? He allowed Himself to be touched and nursed in a manger.
The life of our Lord is far from being grand, He came on circumstances we usually would run from, He lived the life no one might ever had dreamt of living, all the accounts of His life, tells us again and again the humility of Him.
And this humility of Him, makes me feel ashamed of myself, makes all of my being kneel. I am ashamed how prideful and arrogant Ive become and still is. And yet, He shows me love, and tells me its okay, I’m here, I’ll show you the way.
May we celebrate Christmas next year by this light, that we’re celebrating the goodness of our Lord, that may we, welcome the Person not the season. That Christmas is the remembrance of the Humility of our Lord, who loves us so much that He emptied Himself from God, to God-made-Man so we can share His Kingdom for all eternity.
P.S. photo not mine
If it brought you good fruit, please share as it may potentially (hopefully) bring good fruit to some. If not please kindly send me an email correcting my fault, please let us walk hand in hand in this narrow road ahead of us.
May Christ the King, my King, reign in everyones hearts!
-Shalom❤️
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