Introduction: Joseph: Model Husband and Parent

Finally, on this the Fourth Sunday of Advent, our Gospel reading invites us to prayerfully remember and ponder the unexplainable divine mystery of the Incarnation we celebrate at Christmas. “Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way.” The Gospel of Matthew tells the story of Jesus’ birth from Joseph’s perspective. (In his previous chapter, Matthew set the stage for Joseph’s pivotal role by tracing Jesus’ genealogy from Abraham, through King David, to Jacob – the father of Joseph.) Accordingly, both the genealogy and the account of the birth of Jesus stress the theme of continuity- as well as the theme of discontinuity through Jesus’ legal adoption by Joseph as “the son of David.”

In Matthew’s Gospel, Joseph, a good and “righteous man,” is faced with an extremely difficult situation. “When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child….”  

The New Collegeville Bible Commentary explains the stages of marriage at that time and Joseph’s painful dilemma in this lengthy way:

“Marriage in first-century Palestine took place in two stages. There was a formal betrothal before witnesses that was legally binding. The bride remained in her father’s home for another year or so until the ceremony of her transfer to the home of her husband. Jesus’ conception occurs between these two stages. 
 

“Joseph is faced with an impossible dilemma. He is a righteous man, that is, one who is faithful to the demands of the Jewish Law. The Law prescribed death for adulterers. But Joseph is unwilling to publicly denounce his betrothed. A secret divorce is not possible; two witnesses are needed, and Mary’s pregnancy would be known by all her relatives and townspeople. Joseph decides on a middle course; he will divorce her quietly without stating the reasons. He will not initiate a public trial. This solution, however, does not prevent Mary from being exposed to public shame. The only way to prevent this would be for Joseph to complete his marriage to her and adopt the child as his own. This is what the angel instructs him to do in a dream.”

Through the divine communication of an angel. Joseph says Yes. “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife.”

Imagine Joseph’s feelings when he discovered Mary’s pregnancy.  Confused? Upset? Angry?  

What led him to finally take Mary as his wife and Jesus as his adopted son?

Matthew concludes this powerful story of Jesus’ virgin conception with the angel’s bold command to Joseph: “You are to name him Jesus (savior), for he will save his people from their sins.” Jesus’ role and identity is now firmly established. 

I would invite you to take time to read and ponder the words from the Gospel of Matthew 1:18-24.

What word or words caught your attention?
What in this passage comforted/challenged you?

Further Questions and Reflections:

God called Joseph to let go of his own plans and put himself in the service of Jesus and Mary.

Have you ever experienced a time when you needed “to let go” and move in a far different direction?

There are absolutely no recorded words of Joseph in the Gospels. There is only mention of his being a just and generous man. What kind of husband and father do you think he was? What qualities?

Joseph faced an impossible dilemma. How do you discern what to do in grey area/no-win situations?

A great quality of Joseph was his openness to God. How open are you to the Spirit who is calling you?

Deacon David

Deacon David Suley
St. Andrew Apostle Catholic Church
Silver Spring, Maryland

Published with Permission

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