Today we celebrate a real man, great Saint Joseph. Scripture says of him, “He was a just man.” He was kind, loving , gentle and incredibly strong. Attuned to the Heart of God, He protected his family by fleeing to Egypt. We know that Saint Joseph was probably a widower when he was espoused to the Blessed Mother. It was often the custom for an older man to become the protector of a girl who had vowed her virginity in a life of prayer at the temple in Jerusalem. Thus, he would become her husband, but many times no children would issue from the marriage.
In hebrew the word for sister and brother was the same word used for cousins or any relation by blood or marriage. Thus, when scripture talks of the siblings of Our Blessed Lord, it is not talking of blood sisters or brothers from Blessed Mary, but step siblings and cousins. It is probable that Our Lord’s “brothers and sisters” were his step siblings from Saint Joseph’s previous marriage.
Also, we know from Holy Tradition that Saint Joseph was older. This is why he was not present later in Our Lord’s life. This is why He made provision from the Cross for His Holy Mother. If she had other children by Joseph there would be no need for Our Lord to make sure she had a home. “Woman, behold thy son! Son, behold thy mother! And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.” (Notice Our Blessed Lord calls her WOMAN- Acknowledging her as the New Eve.)
Saint Joseph is the patron of the dying because he had Our Lord and Our Lady at his bedside when he died. How wonderful and sweet that leave taking must have been! How beautiful that he would become the patron of all of us on our deathbeds.
O God, Who in Thy unspeakable providence did choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy Most Holy Mother, grant that as we venerate him on earth, we may deserve to have him as our protector in heaven. Blessed be Jesus in His angels and in His saints! Amen.
