St. Joseph was a carpenter. The villagers of Nazareth saw only a man who made his living from the carpentry needs of a small and humble place. A poor man. Not the kind of man to produce a rabbi of such skill and power as Jesus turned out to be.
There are many saints and many stories, but most standout model of a man who denied himself, took up his cross and follow God was Joseph. When the angel appeared to him in a dream and spoke about Mary being with child, he never questioned Mary or rebuked her. Instead, he very quietly gave her his support, moved to another town and lived peacefully with her, waiting for Jesus to be born. His life is exemplary, the icon of a man denying himself to follow God.
The Gospel says, "Isn't He JUST the carpenter's son?" . But the Gospel itself did not say much about Joseph, beyond the events surrounding Christ's birth. It's as if he was rendered nearly invisible. But God saw between the lines. In Joseph, He saw a man of simple faith, obedient to His word. Skilled with his hands, righteous and compassionate. A man who created things for others to use and enjoy. A man worthy to be entrusted with the fostering of His only Son.
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| Image courtesy of thecatholicspirit.com |
