ST. JOSEPH was by birth of the royal family of David, but
was living in humble obscurity as a carpenter when God raised him to the highest
sanctity, and fitted him to be the spouse of His Virgin Mother, and
foster-father and guardian of the Incarnate Word. Joseph, says the Holy
Scripture, was a just man; he was innocent and pure, as became the husband of
Mary; he was gentle and tender, as one worthy to be named the father of Jesus;
he was prudent and a lover of silence, as became the master of the holy
house; above all, he was faithful and obedient to divine calls. His conversation
was with angels rather than with men. When he learned that Mary bore within her
womb the Lord of heaven, he feared to take her as his wife; but an angel
bade him fear not, and all doubts vanished. When Herod sought the life of the
divine Infant, an angel told Joseph in a dream to fly with the Child and His
Mother into Egypt. Joseph at once arose and obeyed. This sudden and unexpected
flight must have exposed Joseph to many inconveniences and sufferings in so long
a journey with a little babe and a tender virgin, the greater part of the way
being through deserts and among strangers; yet he alleges no excuses; nor
inquires at what time they were to return. St. Chrysostom observes that God
treats thus all His servants, sending them frequent trials to clear their hearts
from the rust of self-love, but intermixing seasons of consolation. "Joseph,"
says he, "is anxious on seeing the Virgin with child; an angel removes that
fear. He rejoices at the Child's birth, but a great fear succeeds: the furious
king seeks to destroy the Child, and the whole city is in an uproar to take away
His life. This is followed by another joy, the adoration of the Magi; a new
sorrow then arises: he is ordered to fly into a foreign unknown country, without
help or acquaintance." It is the opinion of the Fathers that upon their entering
Egypt, at the presence of the child Jesus, all the oracles of that superstitious
country were struck dumb, and the statues of their gods trembled and in many
places fell to the ground. The Fathers also attribute to this holy visit the
spiritual benediction poured on that country, which made it for many ages most
fruitful in Saints. After the death of King Herod, of which St. Joseph was
informed in another vision, God ordered him to return with the Child and His
Mother into the land of Israel, which our Saint readily obeyed. But when he
arrived in Judea, hearing that Archelaus had succeeded Herod in that part of the
country, and apprehensive that he might be infected with his father's vices, he
feared on that account to settle there, as he would otherwise probably have done
for the education of the Child; and therefore, being directed by God in another
vision, he retired into the dominions of Herod Antipas, in Galilee, to
his former habitation in Nazareth. St. Joseph, being a strict observer of the
Mosaic law, in conformity to its direction annually repaired to Jerusalem
to celebrate the Passover. Our Saviour, now int the twelfth year of His age,
accompanied His parents thither. Having performed the usual ceremonies of the
feast,they were returning with many of their neighbors and acquaintance towards
Galilee; and never doubting but that Jesus was with some of the company, they
travelled on for a whole day's journey before they discovered that He was not
with them. But when night came on and they could hear no tidings of Him among
their kindred and acquaintance, they, in the deepest affliction, returned with
the utmost speed to Jerusalem. After an anxious search of three days they found
Him in the Temple, discoursing with the learned doctors of the law, and asking
them such questions as raised the admiration of all that heard Him, and made
them astonished at the ripeness of His understanding; nor were His parents less
surprised on this occasion. When His Mother told Him with what grief and
earnestness they had sought Him, and asked, "Son, why hast Thou thus dealt with
us? Behold Thy Father and I sought Thee in great affliction of mind," she
received for answer, "How is it that you sought Me? Did you not know that I must
be about My Father's business?" But though thus staying in the Temple unknown to
His parents, in all other things He was obedient to them, returning with them to
Nazareth, and there living in all dutiful subjection to them. As no further
mention is made of St. Joseph, he must have died before the marriage of Cana and
the beginning of our divine Saviour's ministry. We cannot doubt that he had the
happiness of Jesus and Mary attending at his death, praying by him, assisting
and comforting him in his last moments; whence he is particularly invoked for
the great grace of a happy death and the spiritual presence of Jesus in that
hour.
Reflection. -St. Joseph, the shadow of the Eternal Father upon earth, the protector of Jesus in His home at Nazareth, and a lover of all children for the sake of the Holy Child, should be the chosen guardian and pattern of every true Christian family.