By Dr. Tiju Thomas –
When Pope Benedict XVI was elected to the papacy, he found comfort in the fact that the Lord can use even insufficient means! He accepted the election by the Cardinals, so as to be a ‘simple, humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord’.(1) One such simple and humble worker who was called to serve in the most extraordinary manner was St. Joseph, the father of Jesus. He is a relatable model to those who find themselves saddled with great responsibility, sometimes suddenly. St. Joseph shows that humility and service are in fact means by which burden is made light by God.
One can only imagine the surprise of St. Joseph when he was chosen to be the father of Jesus. Joseph was, along with Mary, the first to hear the name of his son uttered by the angel Gabriel. He was also the first man to ‘hold’ the incarnate God, the universal instrument of salvation. He hence was the first to ‘hold’ the one who would unite all mankind and bring complete healing. Jewish parents (such as St. Joseph) are entrusted with the responsibility of raising their children to be a ‘mensch’ (Hebrew: a kind and honourable person). Hence St. Joseph too was entrusted with the responsibility of instructing the incarnate Logos (Divine word made flesh)! This must have been a surprise (perhaps a shock) to poor St. Joseph.
God’s calling, might seem like a burden but it is never so; since it is in God’s invitation that the soul finds rest. We may draw comfort from what Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” (Matthew. 11:28-30)
St. Joseph, despite his very humble beginnings and life as a carpenter was a prophet. In keeping with the annunciation, he called his son ‘Jesus’ (Matthew 1:21). This is significant since the name Jesus means ‘to deliver’. In knowing about his son from an angelic message, Joseph received the ‘kerygma’ (Greek: good news) in its most embryonic form. Hence he was a prophet of the Lord, much like the blessed Mother herself. His election is evidence for his simple and yet righteous disposition.
In the domestic church of Jesus and his parents, Joseph was entrusted with the role of being a protector and spiritual father of his special son. With his son at the centre, St. Joseph becomes a symbol of a priest. His protective role hence extends to the Church, as is made clear in Pope John Paul II’s Redemptoris Custos.(2)
Remarkable sacrifice characterises St. Joseph’s life. With the annunciation, he needed to quickly reorganize his life, to answer God’s invitation. His was a self-effacing vocation, at the service of the truth of God’s love. He knew that if God has called him, God is there with him. In fact in his case, the incarnate God himself abided with him. Christ with St. Joseph is in fact a true prefiguration of the Eucharist. What St. Joseph offers is a proof that the humble worker, in submission to God becomes an instrument of wondrous things. It is for this reason that St. John Chrysostom called St. Joseph the ‘minister of salvation’.(3) Hence St. Joseph becomes an early and most appropriate symbol for the priesthood of Christ. The mystical body of Christ hence, in its incipient manner is represented in the chaste union that St. Joseph and St. Mary (Theotokos – God bearer) share. Since Mary is the icon of the Church, in being her Protector, Joseph becomes the most natural patron of the Church.(4)
The priest of Christ, today as was the case in the past, is required to offer consolations and true spiritual cure to those that are suffering. Hence the priest is required to be a spiritual father, and a truly assiduous worker, much like St. Joseph himself. Hence all baptized, and those entrusted with the deposit of faith have a model in this ‘humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord’ – St. Joseph!
Furthermore St. Joseph becomes the ‘father of good works’, since all good works ultimately come from Christ. The French scholar and theologian, Jean Gerson (1363-1429) marvels at the fact that ‘he who carved out the dawn and the soul was subject to a carpenter’.(5) The Carmelite Priest Gracian, the spiritual director of St. Theresa of Avila, in his work ‘Summary’ saw the union of Mary and Jesus, under the guardianship of Joseph as being analogical to the relationship between the Church and Christ.(6) Hence the internal life and dispositions of Joseph, thoroughly fed by the ‘light of Christ’, and the filial love shared by the Holy Family are indeed examples to be emulated. While the work of salvation is entirely God’s activity, the cooperation extended by Joseph towards establishing this ‘cradle of life’ itself can never be sufficiently emphasized
The fact that St. Joseph, a simple worker was so elevated is a great sign to all who labour in humility. In fact Pope Leo XIII had the following to say about St. Joseph: “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.”(4)
To summarize, St. Joseph shows what it means to be a ‘mediator of the new covenant’ (1 Peter 2: 9; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20). In this role as a mediator of the new covenant, St. Joseph shows that the internal disposition is what matters the most. Despite our rather modest and even insufficient capacities, we may say ‘yes’ to God, with the knowledge that he is always close. St. Joseph the ‘icon of charity’ was made wealthiest of heart, along with St. Mary for their assent to God. The value of work done in humility and submission of God is made ever so clear through the life of St. Joseph.
When responsibilities come our way, may we too assent by hoping to be rendered a ‘simple, humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord’. The human person – you and me – are called to serve God both mystically and in action, through an internal disposition that is akin to that of St. Joseph.
Dr. Tiju Thomas is an interdisciplinary engineering faculty at Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M). In addition to his current scientific/technical engagements, he has an abiding interest in catechesis, and human formation of young students and professionals. He enjoys devoting time to work with people and families who wish for some assistance in gaining a meaningful life direction. He believes that his Christian vocation includes both human formation and availability
to those who wish to see hope even through suffering. Dr. Thomas can be reached at [email protected]
This reflection is not a complete survey of the role of St. Joseph. It offers a sketch for the assurance St. Joseph offers to those who labour in simplicity and humility. It is meant to encourage both ministerial priests and the laity alike.