In our first two sessions, we looked at what the New Testament has to tell us about, St Joseph – husband of Mary and earthly adopted father of Jesus.
We learned that there are not many mentions of Joseph. But we were able to learn some key things about his character:
• He was a kind man – he didn’t seek to show Mary up, even when he believed she had been unfaithful;
• He was obedient to God – he followed the commands from angels without question, even if those instructions must have seemed very strange;
• He was a spiritual man – he prioritised the spiritual well-being of his family; and finally.
• He was a good father to Jesus.
When we think of the birth of Jesus, Mary often takes centre stage, but standing quietly beside her is Joseph—a man of faith and integrity. And although the Bible doesn’t give us many details about Joseph’s life, his role as the earthly father of Jesus is undeniably profound.
He was entrusted with the care of God’s Son. Joseph demonstrated complete obedience to God, choosing faith over disbelief and fear.
Told in a dream that the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit, Joseph did something extraordinary: he believed and he embraced the role of father to Jesus.
There are other early writings that fill in some of the gaps we have in Joseph’s life – but the validity of these are contested and so do not form part of the accepted canon of our Bible.
They set out that Joseph had other children – and here is where things can get messy. Whether these were children from a previous marriage, or whether Joseph and Mary went on to have further children, what we can be fairly sure of is that Jesus was brought up with others by Joseph in a loving and caring family.
All of this does make me think about my own experience as a father – and adoptive father like Joseph. Much of this is recorded in my book “Finding Mac”.
When my wife and I were going through the adoption process, I remember thinking a great deal about what I would be called – would an older adopted child call me “Dad” – after all they would likely have, and remember, someone else in their life called Dad. Their experience of Fathers might not be a positive one. I kidded myself that I wouldn’t mind what I was called, but that was a lie. I was desperate to be a father and to have someone bless me with that name.
Of course, Mac began calling me Dad as soon as he moved in with us and I can remember the feeling of joy and fulfilment when he did that, and it is something I have never taken for granted.
And when I was training for priesthood, I also thought about what I would be called. My own tradition is one where the term “Father” is commonly used, although I serve in a typical middle of the road parish, where we tend not to be addressed as such. But I can still remember the first time another priest called me “Father” and again I felt the feeling of joy and fulfilment.
Of course, I know that there are many people that have had toxic and destructive examples of Fathers – but real Fatherhood is not like that. At its heart is the concept of unconditional love that is so important in parental relationships - and I felt the need to protect and keep him safe, and provide the things he needed to be happy.
And I can imagine that Joseph and Jesus would have had that sort of relationship – Joseph was there to protect him, to teach him and to provide for him. He was there to teach him to be a good man, to learn a trade. From a core of unconditional love, Joseph was there as father throughout his childhood.
The concept of Fatherhood is so important in Christianity. Our concept of God as Father is key to our understand of that part of the Trinity. And where I think when I was younger, I might have felt it easier to relate to God as Son, as human and walking alongside us; now as I have experienced Fatherhood, it has given me a better understanding our that relationship of God as Father. I think understand more the intimacy of being one of God’s adopted children. I understand more his desire to protect us and love us.
And I think I also understand more his need to let us go and to let us make our own decisions. I understand his desire and need to give us freedom of choice.
And I think Joseph would have understood that as well. His job was to ensure that he had laid good groundwork – teaching right and wrong. But we have to let our children go and live their own lives.
Joseph’s journey is a perfect example of obedience, even when uncertain. He is an example of trusting God even when it defies logic or even his own plans.
Exploring the life of Joseph shows us a man who, although none of his words are recorded in the Bible, his heart is revealed through his actions. As the earthly father of Jesus, he, together with Mary protected, guided, and nurtured the Saviour of the world.
I hope you have learned something from these sessions about Joseph. And as you reflect on these sessions, look again at the questions we have been thinking about all along.
• Were you surprised by anything in these accounts?
• What sort of picture of Joseph do you have? What do these further stories after Jesus’ birth tell us about Joseph’s character?
• Are there things missing that you would expect to be there?
• Why do you think there are so few mentions of him in the Gospels?
• What does it tell you about Joseph as a father figure?
• How would you react to the circumstances that Joseph faced?
Thanks so much for taking the time to think about Joseph and his life. I hope it has given you some insights into what we can learn from his life.
And finally let’s celebrate the role of Joseph – as a compliment to that of Mary – learning from his example in our own lives as disciples and parents.
