Joe, the Holy Date Palm?

Today stands between the feasts of St. Francis de Sales (Jan. 24) and St. John Bosco (Jan. 31). In looking for something to share this week, I began my search for anything that St. John Bosco might have said about Joe. However, I really couldn't find anything, but I was inspired to look at what St. Francis de Sales had to say. After all, John Bosco had such a great devotion to Francis de Sales that he named the religious order that he established after de Sales: the Salesian Order. I came across a talk that de Sales gave, entitled On the Virtues of St. Joseph. You can read the talk here.

What struck me most about this talk was how Francis de Sales compared Joe to a date-palm tree, and it truly is an amazing comparison. He begins the talk by quoting Psalm 92:13, "The just shall flourish like the palm tree..." He basically compares Joe's three "primary" virtues (virginity, humility, and courage) with the date tree:

1. Virginity (pg. 366-371): The date-palm tree is either male or female (the male tree exclusively produces the pollen, and the female tree exclusively produces the flower). Therefore, "the male palm-tree does not bear fruit, and yet it is not unfruitful, for the female palm would bear no fruit without it, or without its aspects." Similarly, Joe does not produce children of his own (de Sales believed that Joe was a young-virgin spouse of Mary, pg. 369); yet, he is not unfruitful because Jesus becomes his son through his spousal relationship with Mary.
2. Humility (pg. 371-378): The date-palm tree does not produce flowers until summer-time. Francis de Sales interprets summer-time spiritually as one's entrance into heaven and the putting forth of flowers as the recognition of virtue. He says that the humble person does not try to make their virtue public, but tries to keep it hidden, and prefers that God will reveal the person's virtue after he or she has died. De Sales points out that the Sacred Scriptures do not directly reveal much about Joe because Joe truly lived a humble and hidden life (pg. 372-373).
3. Courage (pg. 378-383): The date-palm tree does not bend low the more it becomes laden with fruit; instead, the more fruit it has, the taller it seems to grow. This seems to correspond with the virtue of courage, which does not back away when given a heavier load, but rather, seems to grow even stronger. De Sales relates this to Joe who was given the very difficult task of providing for Jesus and Mary in the midst of dangers, poverty and uncertainty.

So, who knew that Joe could be compared to a date tree? 

In case you were wondering about the biological statements about date trees, consider this Encyclopedia Britannica article on date trees. To make the comparison even more interesting, this article concludes by stating that date-palm leaves are commonly used on Palm Sunday. What was proclaimed on Palm Sunday? “Hosanna to the Son of David..." (Matthew 21:30) 

And is not Joe a son of David? (Matthew 1:20)

Coincidence? I think not.

More Pictures from Mexico

So, here are the last set of pictures that I would like to share from my latest trip to Mexico:

 

 

 

  

La Parroquia de la Sagrada Familia, Mexico City, Mexico

As I mentioned last week, I just spent some time in Mexico. While there I visited la Parroquia de la Sagrada Familia (the Parish of the Holy Family), a Jesuit parish in Mexico City. The primary purpose of my visit was to visit the relics of Blessed Miguel Pro, a Mexican Jesuit priest who was martyred in 1927; the fact that the parish had the Holy Family as its patron was an additional bonus to the visit. Relative to the many other churches I visited, this one was certainly a young church - its construction began in 1910 and concluded in 1925. Naturally, there were many images of José. This week, I share a couple of my favorite pictures of this beautiful church:

 

 

 

 

 

A New Find in an Old Book

I have been blessed to be able to travel to Mexico for the last couple days, and I happened to come across a library that held a collection of books from several Franciscan Convents and had the opportunity to stop in to browse through a couple of very old books (I thought I died and went to heaven!). One of the books, Chronica de la Provincia del Santo Evangelio de Mexico by Fray Augustin de Vetancurt (published in 1697), included a long dedication to Joe. I took a picture, but if you don’t understand Spanish, here is, in part, my translation:

DEDICATION

GLORIOUS PATRIARCH SAINT JOSEPH, Spouse of the Spouse of God, Guardian of the mystical ark, Mary Most-Holy, presumed Father of Christ, Patron of this New Spain, my love and master, whom I serve unworthily, I have dedicated the Mexican Theater to our patron, and I return to dedicate this Chronicle, the fourth part of the Theater, in which the works of those great apostles, who established, and have enlightened the Provincia del Santo Evangelio, and preached the Catholic Faith in this Kingdom, whose Patron you are... Recieve with pleasing joy that which I offer to you—a devoted heart—not as a bribe, but as tribute. Perfect my offering because you gave me the will, not judging my offering by its size or weight, but by the desire and will with which I consecrate it. Enlighten my spirit, enhance my discourse, and sanctify my words because they direct the honor of your servants, the respect of the Faith, and the benefit of our souls to the greater honor and glory to God.

Father of Love

This is one of my absolutely favorite images of Joe.

There is just something very real about the image. I have had a lot of experience of newborns in my family, and from what I have observed, there are not many things that makes a new-mother happier than when the new-father gets up in the middle of the night to take care of the wailing child in order to allow his wife to rest. There is just something very manly and fatherly of Joe taking care of Jesus in the quiet of the night.

If I had to put a narrative to this picture, I don’t think I could express it any better than how Michael Card did in Joseph’s Song. If you were Joe and had the opportunity to hold our God in your arms, what would you say? Would you say the same to Him when you receive Him in the Holy Eucharist? I pray that I would.

John and Joe

Today, we celebrate the Feast of St. John the Evangelist. The Gospel for today’s Mass is the scene from the Gospel according to John where John and Peter arrive at Jesus’ tomb and find the burial clothes folded. My pastor made a very interesting point that I had never heard before in his homily at this morning’s Mass; he attributed the connection of the “swaddling clothes” that Jesus was wrapped in as a newborn (Luke 2:7) with the burial clothes mentioned in today’s Gospel. That got me thinking.

In John’s Gospel, Joseph of Aramathea provided for Jesus his burial clothes (John 19:39-40). Is it possible that Joe provided the swaddling clothes for Jesus at his birth? Is it merely coincidental that both are named Jesus? Granted this is pure speculation, but it’s interesting to consider nonetheless. In both accounts,

Jesus is:

• cared for by His Mother who is assisted by a man named Joseph 
• laid in a cave
• sought to be killed (or remain killed) by Jewish soldiers
• emerges victorious from the cave after an apparent defeat

And the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh corresponding to Jesus’ role as king, priest and victim on the cross.

Stephen and Joseph

MERRY CHRISTMAS! CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM!

Today is the Feast of St. Stephen, one of the first seven deacons of the Church and the first Christian martyr. Did you know that before he was killed, he gave a really long summary of God’s saving work through the Old Testament (Acts 7:2-53) including the Old Testament Joseph (vs. 9-16)?

And here is a great reflection on Joe’s presence at the Nativity from the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Akathist Hymn in Honor of the Righteous Joseph, the Betrothed of the Most-Holy Virgin Mary (5th Ikos):

Rejoice! You who before all others beheld the descent to earth of the unsetting Sun of Righteousness!

Rejoice! First witness and servant on earth of the incarnate Son of God, Who was born of the Father before all ages!

Rejoice! Earthly carpenter who was vouchsafed to be called the father of the heavenly Architect!

Rejoice! Protector and guardian of the Infant to Whom the ranks of angels minister with fear!

Rejoice! Reverent servant of the Mother of God, the Word!

Rejoice! O righteous Joseph, ready helper and intercessor for our souls!

Let's take a 100 mile walk

Have you ever considered what it would have been like for Joe to walk along side of Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem? It certainly would have been a time of great trial for both of them. According to Google Maps, the recommended walking route now is about 100 miles. Could you imagine walking along side a donkey carrying a young mother, who is due to give birth any day now? I'm hard pressed to walk a single mile these days, let alone one hundred! Anything more than a 10 minute walk almost necessitates a car these days.

I came across a beautiful quote placed in the mouth of the Holy Mother of God to Joe that I would like to share with you:

O virgin, when Joseph went up to Bethlehem sounded by sorrow, thou didst cry to him: "Why art thou downcast and troubled, seeing me great with child? Why art thou wholly ignorant of the fearful mystery that comes to pass in me?  Henceforth, cast every fear aside and understand this strange marvel: for in my womb God now descends upon the earth for mercy's sake, and He has taken flesh.  thou shalt see Him according to His good pleasure, when He is born; and fill with joy thou shalt worship Him as Thy Creator, Whom the angels praise without ceasing in song and glorify with the father and the Holy Spirit."

I found it in another blog reflection on the Journey to Bethlehem, and I encourage you to take some time and read it. It also shares several beautiful Greek Icons of the Mary and Joe's journey.

Also, if you're not familiar with the Mexican tradition of Las Posadas, I encourage you to take some time and watch this short video describing the tradition.

Old Testament "Annunciation"

Last week I introduced Asenath, the wife of the Old Testament Joseph. This week, I would like to continue observing Asenath and Joseph to draw out more "behind the scenes" footage of Mary and Joe. In the apocryphal book, Joseph and Asenath, there is a story of an angel of God appearing to Asenath. This is what the angel said (14:6-15:11):


"Asenath, Asenath... Take heart, Asenath, and do not be afraid; but stand up, and I will speak to you... Take heart, Asenath, for lo, the Lord has heard the words of your confession. Take heart, Asenath, your name is written in the book of life, and it will never be blotted out. 


From to-day you will be made new, and refashioned, and given new life; and you shall eat the bread of life and drink the cup of immortality, and be anointed with the unction of incorruption. 

Take heart, Asenath: lo, the Lord has given you to Joseph to be his bride, and he shall be your bridegroom. And you shall no more be called Asenath, but 'City of Refuge' shall be your name; for many nations shall take refuge in you, and under your wings shall many peoples find shelter, and within your walls those who give their allegiance to God in penitence will find security... 

And lo, I am on my way to Joseph, and I will talk to him about you, and he will come to you to-day and see you and rejoice over you; and he shall be your bridegroom. So listen to me, Asenath, and put on your wedding robe, the ancient robe, the first that was stored away in your room, and deck yourself in all your finest jewelry, and adorn yourself as a bride, and be ready to meet him. For lo, he is coming to you to-day; and he will see you and rejoice." 

This sounds a lot like the Annunciation pre-nativity scenes (Luke 1:26-38 and Matthew 1:18-21). In fact, this passage would do well as a Marian Annunciation for the Gospel of Matthew. It follows the structure of Luke, with some additional details that fit Matthew's emphasis on Joe.

• First, the angel appears to Mary and Asenath, greets them, and tells them not to be afraid. 
• Next, the angel relates a message/assurance to Mary and Aseneth.  
• Then, the angel informs Asenath that he will go to Joseph and speak to him.
• Finally, there is the meeting of Joe/Joseph and Mary/Asenath. 

Joseph and Asenath

We have finally entered the liturgical season of Advent, preparing for the celebration of Christ's birth and for His return. It is also the season of reading the Old Testament as we will for every celebration of Mass during Advent. So, we too shall look to the Old Testament.

Last week, we began looking at the story of the Old Testament Joseph, and in particular, the story of Pharaoh making Joseph the #2 guy in Egypt, which gave us a deeper understanding of Joe's role in the "hierarchy" of saints. Immediately after this scene, we get some really interesting information that furthers our understanding of Joe: Genesis says, "Pharaoh also bestowed the name of Zaphenath-paneah on Joseph, and he gave him in marriage Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of Heliopolis." (Gen. 41:45).

Now, if you're like me, the first time you read this, you probably asked yourself "What did Pharaoh call him? Zaphe-WHAT? and what in the world is up with his wife?" but don't worry, because these names are really cool and more than coincidental!

The New American Bible (Revised Edition) gives a footnote for this verse, which says:

1. Zaphenath-paneah: “the god speaks and he lives.” 
2. Asenath: “belonging to Neith.” 
3. Potiphera: “he whom Ra gave”. 
• Heliopolis: a city of the chief temple of the sun god.

We can understand these words to be very interesting foreshadowing of the Holy Family:

1. When Joe found Mary pregnant, and not by him, he could have had her put to death for being unfaithful to their marriage. Naturally, if she would have been put to death, so would have her Son as well. So, when God speaks through the angel in Joe's dream and Joe is obedient to the messenger, the child does in fact live.
2. Neith can be considered to relate in two ways:

1. Neith was the Egyptian goddess who gave birth to Ra, the Egyptian sun-god and the greatest of the gods. Mary, although not a goddess, is indeed the true Mother of God.
2. Neith was also the goddess of creation who brought about creation by moving the primordial waters. The Holy Spirit, who moved the primordial waters of creation (Gen. 1:1-2), also had a role to play in the incarnation of Jesus (Luke 1:35, Matt. 1:18,20)
3. Asenath's father was a priest, but not just any priest. He was a priest of great sun-god, Ra. Recall the tradition of Mary being a daughter of Aaron that I shared already? Just like Asenath, Mary too was a member of the High-Priestly House.

Cool huh!?