A Man of Many Colors

I recently watched this video of Jordan Peterson speaking about the Old Testament Joseph and the significance of a “coat of many colors” (Genesis 37:3). I particularly liked his use of this coat as an analogy for being good at whatever you do. As he pointed out, Joseph did well by the grace of God in everything he did—from being a son, brother, servant, prisoner, and even second-in-command of Egypt.

When I heard this analogy, I almost immediately thought of St Teresa of Avila’s experience (and mine) that Joe has been patronage in all matters: 

... I am astonished at the great favours which God has bestowed on me through this blessed saint, and at the perils from which He has freed me, both in body and in soul. To other saints the Lord seems to have given grace to succour us in some of our necessities but of this glorious saint my experience is that he succours us in them all and that the Lord wishes to teach us that as He was Himself subject to him on earth (for, being His guardian and being called His father, he could command Him) just so in Heaven He still does all that he asks...

-Autobiography, Chapter 6 (page 52)

A Prayer for Purity

I recently came across this prayer for purity written by St Alphonsus Liguori and wanted to share:

Mary, Mother most pure, and Joseph, chaste guardian of the Virgin, to you I entrust the purity of my soul and body. I beg you to plead with God for me that I may never for the remainder of my life soil my soul by any sin of impurity. I earnestly wish to be pure in thought, word, and deed in imitation of your own holy purity. Obtain for me a deep sense of modesty, which will be reflected in my external conduct. Protect my eyes; the windows of my soul, from anything that might dim the luster of a heart that must mirror only Christ-like purity. And when the “Bread of Angels” becomes my food in Holy Communion, seal my heart forever against the suggestions of sinful pleasures. Finally, may I be among those of whom Jesus spoke, “Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God.” Amen.

The Protodulia

In Catholic theological circles, there is a distinction between the honor or veneration that we give to God and that which we give to the saints. To God and to God alone belongs latria (worship); on the other hand is dulia (service) that we give to God and to the saints. For centuries now, a further distinction is made... that of dulia and hyperdulia. Hyperdulia belongs to Mary, the Mother of God. She is not God, and therefore cannot receive latria (worship); yet, she stands above all the other saints and receives hyperdulia ("super" service). Here is a good article that goes into these distinctions.

Recently, there has been a movement to make yet another distinction: protodulia (first place of service) to Joe. The Mother of God stands before him since she is the true Mother of God in every way; yet, he stands before all else as the father of God in regards to the humanity of Jesus (not in a biological sense, but in a real and relational sense). I bring this up now, because it really struck me I recently encountered this principle.

On Monday we celebrated Memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues and their Companions. The second reading of the Office of Readings was taken from the spiritual diaries of St John de Brébeuf. In the entry, St. John wrote: 

... I vow before your eternal Father and the Holy Spirit, before your most holy Mother and her most chaste spouse, before the angels, apostles and martyrs, before my blessed fathers Saint Ignatius and Saint Francis Xavier – in truth I vow to you, Jesus my Saviour, that as far as I have the strength I will never fail to accept the grace of martyrdom, if some day you in your infinite mercy should offer it to me, your most unworthy servant...

Notice he begins and ends with God (latria), then he turns to Mary (hyperdulia), and then even before the angels and apostles, he places Joe "[Mary's] most chaste spouse". To place Joe before the angels and saints is a big (and dare I say 'bold') move. At the time, Joe still wasn't really recognized for his greatness. He was often still placed at least behind the angels and even John the Baptist, as is still the case in the Litany of the Saints. 

Finally, I conclude with these words that Pope Leo XIII wrote in Quamquam Pluries:

In truth, the dignity of the Mother of God is so lofty that naught created can rank above it. But as Joseph has been united to the Blessed Virgin by the ties of marriage, it may not be doubted that he approached nearer than any to the eminent dignity by which the Mother of God surpasses so nobly all created natures.

Do Not Fear!

The first of Joe’s joys (say that ten time fast!) is the message of the Angel to settle the sorrow of his doubt around Mary’s pregnancy. Matthew relates to us that the Angel said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home...” (Matthew 1:20). 

Some time ago, I came across an article that Pope St John Paul II wrote entitled “A Meditation on Giveness”. It is a worthwhile read for sure, and I can not recommend it highly enough, but if you cannot read the whole thing, at least read this short section where he opens up the message of the Angel to Joe:

I think that every man, whatever his station in life or his life’s vocation, must at some point hear those words which Joseph of Nazareth once heard: “Do not be afraid to take Mary to yourself” (Mt 1:20). “Do not be afraid to take” means do everything to recognize that gift which she is for you. Fear only one thing: that you try to appropriate that gift. That is what you should fear. As long as she remains a gift from God himself to you, you can safely rejoice in all that she is as that gift. What is more, you ought even to do everything you can to recognize that gift, to show her how unique a treasure she is. 

I think Joe really recognized the gift that Mary was to him, and it was exactly this recognition that caused him fear. How often we think, "This sounds too good to be true!" when someone makes a tremendous offer. We recoil in fear that perhaps it is not. Joe received and cherished God's gift of Mary, as I'm sure that Mary received and cherished God's gift of Joe to her.

Happy birthday

The thought occurred to me yesterday: Joe obviously had a birthday and I’m sure Jesus and Mary celebrated it with him. I wonder when his birthday was and how did they celebrate? Did he take the day off of work? Did they stay up late to watch the stars move across the sky? Did they have a special meal? 

I found this particular Rabbi’s recommendation fitting for Joe: https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/652307/jewish/How-to-Celebrate.htm 

Perhaps we might make these a practice on our own birthdays.

Joe and the Holy Spirit: Lord and Giver of Life

Jesus called Himself “the Way, the Truth, and the Life...” (John 14:6), and in the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, the Church acclaims, “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life...” In this we find yet another parallel between Joe and the Holy Spirit—both are lords and givers of life (albeit by nature in the Holy Spirit and by Grace in Joe).

Tradition has regularly applied the words spoken of the Old Testament Joseph, “he made lord over his household, ruler over all his possessions.” (Psalm 105:21), to Joe. Joe was called upon by God the Father to be in a certain way, the “lord of Life”.

So what about “giver of Life”? Consider this, had Joe not believed Mary’s marital fidelity to him, he could very well of had her stoned to death, which also would have meant the death of her Son as well. He chose, rather, to give physical life to Life. Further, when Joe enrolled Jesus in the Abrahamic Covenant through circumcision, he chose to give spiritual life to Life (cf. Deut. 30:15-20). And further still, by giving life to Life, Who gives us His own Life, Joe has given Life to us. 

So yes, Joe, like the Holy Spirit is the lord and giver of Life.

Silence: from Isolation to Encounter

A couple weeks back, I came across an "e-retreat" offered by Archbishop Christopher Prowse entitled Silence: from Isolation to Encounter. When I started, my life seemed really "loud" and I felt the need to return once again to being silent with Joe. I really wasn't at all surprised to find that a stained-glass image of Joe was present there in the background of the first episode. He once again made a more quiet "appearance" in the final episode on Mary. 

As I went through the retreat (usually watching an episode about every other day), it began to become evident to me, that Joe is a model of moving from isolation to encounter in silence. I can only imagine how alone and isolated he must have felt when he was deciding to divorce Mary (Mt. 1:19), or how abandoned he must have felt when he had to flee his home country to a foreign land (Mt. 2:13), or how empty he must have felt when Jesus was nowhere to be found for three days (Lk. 2:48). In each of these occasions, Joe remains silent, and in this silence, he encounters God's Presence.

If you have time (and honestly, who actually doesn't have the time to devote 20 minutes every other evening), I encourage you to enter into this time of retreat. Whether you enter into one episode a day, or one every other day (or perhaps every two days), I don't think it will be a waste of time. Do not be afraid to enter the silence. God is waiting... go and meet him!

Joe and the Holy Spirit: A Spirit of Adoption

St Paul says to us in his letter to the Romans: 

For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, "Abba, Father!" [to God]. (Romans 8:15)

It was through Joe that Jesus was legally adopted into the royal household of David (True Husband and Father). We could very well re-word St. Paul's words regarding Jesus and Joe:

For Jesus did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but He received a spirit of adoption, through which He cries, "abba, father!" [to David].

Some time ago, I shared a portion of St Augustine's reflection on the lineage of Jesus, in which he reflected on the linage of Mary as being a daughter of Aaron (One Mother, Two Roots). Hence, Mary with Joe form Jesus as both a king and a priest of the Old Covenant (albeit the fulfillment of the Old Covenant kings and priests). If we are made members of Christ (CCC, 1213), then we too are brought into the fulfillment of the Old Testament kings and priests. I wonder, therefore, if this gives any support to what St. Peter says to us:

But you are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own..." (1 Peter 2:9)

Providentially, I am writing this post on the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, and it just really occurred to me that I have referred to both of them. Perhaps, yet another movement of the Holy Spirit and Joe together!

Joe and the Holy Spirit: The Incarnation

So, what started my intrigue into considering Joe as an icon of the Holy Spirit is the scene of the Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38). The Archangel Gabriel said to Mary "The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” Isn’t this what Joe was called to do - to come to Mary and overshadow her in his protective mantle? Just as the Holy Spirit is not the Father of the Son yet remains intrinsic to the mystery of the Incarnation, so is Joe as well. I believe that we all are invited to receive the Joe's protection just as we are invited to receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit, and all just like Mary received. In this way, Mary can rightly be said to be Joe's spouse as well as the spouse of the Holy Spirit. May the same be mystically said about us!

Bernardine of Siena

Today, is the Memorial of St. Bernardine of Siena. On March 19th, for the Solemnity of St Joseph, the Husband of Mary, a portion of one of his sermons is used in the Office of Readings of the Liturgy of the Hours. Here is the portion that is included:

There is a general rule concerning all special graces granted to any human being. Whenever the divine favor chooses someone to receive a special grace, or to accept a lofty vocation, God adorns the person chosen with all the gifts of the Spirit needed to fulfill the task at hand.

This general rule is especially verified in the case of Saint Joseph, the foster-father of our Lord and the husband of the Queen of our world, enthroned above the angels. He was chosen by the eternal Father as the trustworthy guardian and protector of his greatest treasures, namely, his divine Son and Mary, Joseph’s wife. He carried out this vocation with complete fidelity until at last God called him, saying: “Good and faithful servant enter into the joy of your Lord”.

What then is Joseph’s position in the whole Church of Christ? Is he not a man chosen and set apart? Through him and, yes, under him, Christ was fittingly and honorably introduced into the world. Holy Church in its entirety is indebted to the Virgin Mother because through her it was judged worthy to receive Christ. But after her we undoubtedly owe special gratitude and reverence to Saint Joseph.

In him the Old Testament finds its fitting close. He brought the noble line of patriarchs and prophets to its promised fulfillment. What the divine goodness had offered as a promise to them, he held in his arms.

Obviously, Christ does not now deny to Joseph that intimacy, reverence and very high honor which he gave him on earth, as a son to his father. Rather we must say that in heaven Christ completes and perfects all that he gave at Nazareth.

Now we can see how the last summoning words of the Lord appropriately apply to Saint Joseph: “Enter into the joy of your Lord”. In fact, although the joy of eternal happiness enters into the soul of a man, the Lord preferred to say to Joseph: “Enter into joy”. His intention was that the words should have a hidden spiritual meaning for us. They convey not only that this holy man possesses an inward joy, but also that it surrounds him and engulfs him like an infinite abyss.

Remember us, Saint Joseph, and plead for us to your foster-child. Ask your most holy bride, the Virgin Mary, to look kindly upon us, since she is the mother of him who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns eternally. Amen.

Holy Family of Fatima

Today, we celebrate Mary under the title “Our Lady of Fatima.” This feast is special for me for a number of reasons, but one of them is because on October 13, 1917 (the last day of the series of apparitions that began on May 13), Joe appeared with Mary. Here is the account: 

After our Lady had disappeared into the immense distance of the firmament, we beheld St. Joseph with the Child Jesus and Our Lady robed in white with a blue mantle, beside the sun. St. Joseph and the Child Jesus seemed to bless the world, for they traced the Sign of the Cross with their hands. When, a little later, this apparition disappeared, I saw Our Lord and Our lady; it seemed to me to that it was Our Lady of Sorrows (Dolors). Our Lord appeared to bless the world in the same manner as St. Joseph had done. This apparition also vanished, and I saw Our Lady once more, this time resembling Our Lady of Carmel. 

May the Holy Family of Fatima intercede on our behalf!

Old Feast, Still Celebrated

Today is the 3rd Wednesday after Easter. Up until the revision of the Roman Missal by Pope Pius XII in 1955, this day was dedicated as a celebration of the patronage of Joe over the Universal Church. I can’t say why it was removed from the Roman Calendar, but even though this celebration may not be in the calendar, we can still celebrate his wondrous patronage. How will you celebrate?

Don’t forget, May 1st (this Friday) is the feast of St Joseph the Worker, and this celebration is on the calendar, and how wonderful that on this day, America will be rededicated to Mary under the title “Mother of the Church”! How fitting too. As Mary was the mother of the domestic church of Nazareth and from this the Mother of the Universal Church, so Joe as the protector and guardian of the domestic church of Nazareth is also the Protector and Guardian of the Universal Church!

This song may be appropriate for today as well:

"Hard Hat And A Hammer" by Alan Jackson 

 

Return of Hospitality

When Jesus was still an infant in Mary’s womb, Joe brought Him into his home.
When Joe was in Hades with all the righteous ones of the Old Testament, Jesus brought him into His Home.

The Return of the King

St. Luke tells us that Joseph and Mary went to Jerusalem each year for the feast of Passover (Luke 2:41) fulfilling the commandment for all Jews to gather at the Tabernacle (and later, the Temple) (Deuteronomy 16:5-6). In this little detail, we find yet another parallel between Joe and King David.

It was King David who brought the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6), and it was his son, King Solomon, who built the Temple (1 Kings 6).
Mary has been called 'the Ark of the New Covenant' since very early in Christianity. Here we find the parallel of the New King David bringing the Ark of the New Covenant to Jerusalem.

Even more, like King David who did not build the Temple - leaving that to his son - Joe does not build the new Temple, but leaves that to his Son (John 2:19-21).

To Jesus, Through Mary, With Joe

Tomorrow is the great Solemnity of St Joseph, the Husband of Mary, and in just seven more days we will be celebrating the Solemnity of the Annunciation. In a way, we can call the Annunciation the completion of the Week of St Joseph. Last week, I recommended a novena of preparation. This week, I recommend a week  of celebration.

The number seven is a number of perfection and completion (“On the seventh day God completed the work he had been doing...” -Genesis 2:2). Thus, Joe is completed by the Incarnation. As Husband of the Holy Mother of God, he is the final piece of God’s preparation for the coming of Christ. He is the last of David’s lineage, he is betrothed to Mary before the Incarnation and he completes the Marriage after the visit of the Angel. In a way, Joe and Jesus complete each other (it is through Joe that Jesus enters and completes God’s covenants with Abraham and David). All this happens through Mary. Joe has no relation with Jesus except through Mary. For this reason, the Solemnity of St. Joseph, the Husband of Mary, is so important. Joe models for all of us that the best way to Jesus is through Mary.

Chain Of Love

I love country music - especially country music from the 90s. Although I don’t listen to country music as nearly as much as I used to, I still turn it on every now and again, sit back, and just let it soak in. The other day, the song “Chain of Love” by Clay Walker came on. As I listened this time, I realized that this could very well have been a song about Mary and Joe. I hope you watch this music video and see what I mean.

The Father’s Forerunner

This coming Sunday, we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:22-39). There are many things about this account that cause biblical scholars to ponder the question “Why?”

• Why does Luke say, “When the days were completed for their purification” when the Levitical Law required only a purification of the new mother?
• Why did the presentation of Jesus happen at the Temple when this was not required by Levitical Law?
• Why does Luke omit the giving of the Redemption Price (Redeemer of the Redeemer?)

As well as other questions. 

Today, I want to point out a question that I raise is found in verse 33, “The child’s father and mother...”. A literal translation of the Greek (and the Latin) is “The father of the child and the mother...” Why does Luke refer only to Joe in relation to Jesus here? Why not both parents when almost everywhere else the Gospel writers refer to Mary in direct relation to Jesus and not Joe? 

In fact, I think the reason lies in the only other time when Joe and Mary are mentioned together but only Joe is referred to directly to Jesus, which incidentally also happens in the Temple. Mary asked Jesus 12 years after this: “Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” (Luke 2:48).

Joe is mentioned in direct relationship to Jesus in these two places because they both point to the revelation that soon follows: while many may think that Joe is Jesus’ Father, there is Another who is. As Joe marvels at what is said of Jesus’s coming works of salvation, the Father is the Author of these works. As Joe seeks out Jesus and finds Him in the Temple, the Father who is always with Jesus. 

Joe’s purpose is not to replace Jesus’ Heavenly Father. His purpose is to point out His Heavenly Father. In a way as John the Baptist was the Forerunner to Jesus, Joe is the Forerunner to the Father, preparing the way for Him to be revealed to us. Like John, Joe would proclaim without the least hesitation, “One is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.” (John 1:30).

Where is Joe?

It really never struck me until this past Epiphany that Joe is not mentioned in the story of the Magi’s visit (Matthew 2:1-12). Instead, the Matthew tells us that the Magi found “the Child with Mary His mother.” Where was Joe? Did Matthew forget that he was there? Perhaps he was out working or looking for work. Who knows...

But I think this little detail tells us a little about Joe. He was not a “helicopter parent” nor a “jealous husband”. He trusted Mary to be alone with Jesus, and even more than this, he trusted God to keep them both safe. In other words, Joe knew that God did not require him to be the family guardian when he could not; God does not expect the same of us. He knows our limitations, and He provides for us when we are unable.

Just imagine the surprise of Joe when he returned home to find three unexpected visitors who have brought gold frankincense and myrrh. I imagine that Mary greeted Joe at the door, and the first thing that Joe asks is “What’s happening here?”. To which Mary calmly responds, “Oh, you know, they just wanted to bring some gifts for Jesus.”

Perhaps another detail of this story that tells us a bit about his character is the final verse, “having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.” It seems to me that the Magi stayed the night with Mary, Joe, and Jesus. Jerusalem was less than a day’s walk away from Bethlehem, and so it only makes sense that they stayed the night in Bethlehem. Joe was hospitable and welcomed the strangers to stay the night. In the morning they would be on their way - just not back to Jerusalem.

Will He look like me?

"What will He look like?" I'm sure this was a question that Joe must have asked himself over and over again during the final days of Mary's pregnancy with Jesus. The question, "Will He look like me?", probably caused Joe some anxiety too. "If He happens to look like me, will others think that He is my son? Will they not believe me when I say that Mary is still a virgin? How could I expect them to understand if I myself do not understand how all this is possible?"

Now, imagine... 

It is a little past midnight. Mary and Joe are in a cave with animals all around with all the smells and sounds this entails. The only light and heat they have is from a little twig fire that crackles just a few feet away. Mary has been experiencing contractions for the last several hours, and the time of delivery is here. Joe is the only other person she trusts and permits to assist her in delivering her Child, but he has never assisted in the delivery of a child - let alone this Child! With the temptation to fear that he will mess-up and cause the death of his wife and her Child pressing hard upon him, he cries out to the Father in a short but urgent prayer:

God, come to me quickly! 

You are my help and deliverer. 

Lord, do not delay!

-Psalm 70:6

Now Joe turns his full attention to his wife as he is in anguish in seeing his beloved wife suffer the pains of giving birth. The delivery happens, and before he knows it, he is holding this crying newborn king in his hands. Joe is the first to hold Him -he is the first to see His Face- and he is astonished to see that this little Boy looks just like him. He is stunned. He does not know what to say or think. He can only look upon this Child with love, and he begins to experience that weird mix of crying and laughing at the same time. 

He knows that this Child is not his by nature; instead, he knows that he has received this Child as a gift from God through Mary. Mary! He became so enraptured with this Child that he actually forgot about her! While all these thoughts and emotions are passing through Joe, Mary just laid there and looked with patient love upon her beloved husband and Son. Joe looks up at Mary, and with tear-filled eyes, he hands the Child to her. 

The Human Face of God is now seen! God is with us! Come, let us adore Him!

Guadalupe Joe

Tomorrow, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and I am reminded of an image that a friend of mine shared with me when he was visiting Catholic Family Land in Bloomingdale, Ohio;

 

Obviously, it is based on the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. And why not?