Meditation on St. Joseph

A Man Who Obeys God and Clings to His Wife

Joseph was betrothed to Mary. This is more than being engaged. It means they were actually married. It was the practice at that time for a couple to marry rather young. Once betrothed they usually lived an additional year in their parents’ household as they became more acquainted and prepared for life together. Now at a certain point it was discovered that Mary was pregnant, though not by Joseph. The Law provided that if a man discovered that his betrothed was not a virgin, he should divorce her and not “sully” his home. Joseph was prepared to follow the Law’s requirements. However, he did not wish to expose Mary to the full force of the law which prescribed that she be stoned. He thus remained quiet as to his reason for the divorce and Mary would escape such a fate. Failure to divorce Mary would expose Joseph to cultural ramifications. His standing in the community would be harmed. In the divine plan, the Lord of course, intervened. Joseph is told in a dream not to fear and that Mary has committed no sin. Matthew records: When Joseph awoke, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. (Matt 1:24)

Joseph is told to cling to his wife. He “obeys God rather than men.” It takes a strong man to do this especially considering the culture in which Joseph lived. Joseph models strong manhood and has something to say to the men of our day. In the current wedding vows a man agrees to cling to his wife, for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness or health.  Our culture often pressures men to bail out in times of struggle. Joseph shows the way by obeying God over the pressures of prevailing culture.

Edited from Msgr. Charles Pope’s Blog, St. Joseph: Model Husband and Father, on Community in Mission.