On Solemnity of Immaculate Conception, Francis Begins Year Dedicated to Mary’s Spouse
Pope Francis has announced the ‘Year of St. Joseph.’
The Holy Father’s decision marked the second surprise to faithful on this Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, following first his 7am visit to central Rome’s Spanish Steps to entrust the city and world to the Blessed Virgin.
Within a few hours, the Holy See Press Office would publish the Apostolic Letter “Patris corde – With the heart of a Father,’ which commemorates the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the universal Church.
For the occasion, a special “Year of St. Joseph” will be held from today through Dec. 8, 2021.
Here is the full Vatican-provided English text:
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APOSTOLICLETTER
PATRISCORDE
OFTHEHOLYFATHER
FRANCIS
ONTHE150TH ANNIVERSARY
OFTHEPROCLAMATIONOFSAINTJOSEPH
ASPATRONOFTHEUNIVERSALCHURCH
WITHAFATHER’S HEART: that is how Joseph loved Jesus, whom all four Gospels refer to as “thesonofJoseph”.[1]
Matthew and Luke, the two Evangelists who speak most of Joseph, tell us very little, yet enough for us to appreciate what sort of father he was, and the mission entrusted to him by God’s providence.
We know that Joseph was a lowly carpenter (cf.Mt13:55), betrothed to Mary (cf.Mt1:18;Lk1:27). He was a “justman” (Mt1:19), ever ready to carry out God’s will as revealed to him in the Law (cf.Lk2:22.27.39) and through four dreams (cf.Mt1:20;2:13.19.22). After a long and tiring journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, he beheld the birth of the Messiah in a stable, since “there was no place for them” elsewhere (cf.Lk2:7). He witnessed the adoration of the shepherds (cf.Lk2:8-20) and the Magi (cf.Mt2:1-12), who represented respectively the people of Israel and the pagan peoples.
Joseph had the courage to become the legal father of Jesus, to whom he gave the name revealed by the angel: “You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Mt1:21). As we know, for ancient peoples, to give a name to a person or to a thing, as Adam did in the account in the Book of Genesis (cf.2:19-20), was to establish a relationship.
In the Temple, forty days after Jesus’ birth, Joseph and Mary offered their child to the Lord and listened with amazement to Simeon’s prophecy concerning Jesus and his Mother (cf.Lk2:22-35). To protect Jesus from Herod, Joseph dwelt as a foreigner in Egypt (cf.Mt2:13-18). After returning to his own country, he led a hidden life in the tiny and obscure village of Nazareth in Galilee, far from Bethlehem, his ancestral town, and from Jerusalem and the Temple. Of Nazareth it was said, “No prophet is to rise” (cf.Jn7:52) and indeed, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (cf.Jn1:46). When, during a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Joseph and Mary lost track of the twelve-year-old Jesus, they anxiously sought him out and they found him in theTemple, in discussion with the doctors of the Law (cf.Lk2:41-50).
After Mary, the Mother of God,no saint is mentioned more frequently in the papal magisterium than Joseph, her spouse. My Predecessors reflected on the message contained in the limited information handed down by the Gospels in order to appreciate more fully his central role in the history of salvation. Blessed Pius IX declared him “Patron of the Catholic Church”,[2] Venerable Pius XII proposed him as “Patron of Workers”[3] and Saint John Paul II as “Guardian of the Redeemer”.[4] Saint Joseph is universally invoked as the “patron of a happy death”.[5]
Now,onehundredandfiftyyearsafterhisproclamationasPatronoftheCatholicChurchbyBlessedPiusIX(8December1870),Iwouldliketosharesomepersonalreflectionsonthisextraordinaryfigure,soclosetoourownhumanexperience.For,asJesussays,“outoftheabundanceoftheheartthemouthspeaks”(Mt12:34).Mydesiretodosoincreasedduringthesemonthsofpandemic,whenweexperienced,amidthecrisis,how“ourlivesarewoventogetherandsustainedbyordinarypeople,peopleoftenoverlooked.Peoplewhodonotappearinnewspaperandmagazineheadlines,oronthelatesttelevisionshow,yetintheseverydaysaresurelyshapingthedecisiveeventsofourhistory.Doctors,nurses,storekeepersandsupermarketworkers,cleaningpersonnel,caregivers,transportworkers,menandwomenworkingtoprovideessentialservicesandpublicsafety,volunteers,priests,menandwomenreligious,andsoverymanyothers.Theyunderstoodthatnooneissavedalone…Howmanypeopledailyexercisepatienceandofferhope,takingcaretospreadnotpanic,butsharedresponsibility.Howmanyfathers,mothers,grandparentsandteachersareshowingourchildren,insmalleverydayways,howtoacceptanddealwithacrisisbyadjustingtheirroutines,lookingaheadandencouragingthepracticeofprayer.Howmanyarepraying,makingsacrificesandintercedingforthegoodofall”.[6] EachofuscandiscoverinJoseph–themanwhogoesunnoticed,adaily,discreetandhiddenpresence–anintercessor,asupportandaguideintimesoftrouble.SaintJosephremindsusthatthosewhoappearhiddenorintheshadowscanplayanincomparableroleinthehistoryofsalvation.Awordofrecognitionandofgratitudeisduetothemall.
1. Abelovedfather
ThegreatnessofSaintJosephisthathewasthespouseofMaryandthefatherofJesus.Inthisway,heplacedhimself,inthewordsofSaintJohnChrysostom,“attheserviceoftheentireplanofsalvation”.[7]
SaintPaulVIpointedoutthatJosephconcretelyexpressedhisfatherhood“bymakinghislifeasacrificialservicetothemysteryoftheincarnationanditsredemptivepurpose.HeemployedhislegalauthorityovertheHolyFamilytodevotehimselfcompletelytotheminhislifeandwork.Heturnedhishumanvocationtodomesticloveintoasuperhumanoblationofhimself,hisheartandallhisabilities,aloveplacedattheserviceoftheMessiahwhowasgrowingtomaturityinhishome”.[8]
Thankstohisroleinsalvationhistory,SaintJosephhasalwaysbeenveneratedasafatherbytheChristianpeople.Thisisshownbythecountlesschurchesdedicatedtohimworldwide,thenumerousreligiousInstitutes,Confraternitiesandecclesialgroupsinspiredbyhisspiritualityandbearinghisname,andthemanytraditionalexpressionsofpietyinhishonour.Innumerableholymenandwomenwerepassionatelydevotedtohim.AmongthemwasTeresaofAvila,whochosehimasheradvocateandintercessor,hadfrequentrecoursetohimandreceivedwhatevergracessheaskedofhim.Encouragedbyherownexperience,TeresapersuadedotherstocultivatedevotiontoJoseph.[9]
EveryprayerbookcontainsprayerstoSaintJoseph.SpecialprayersareofferedtohimeachWednesdayandespeciallyduringthemonthofMarch,whichistraditionallydedicatedtohim.[10]
PopulartrustinSaintJosephisseenintheexpression“GotoJoseph”,whichevokesthefamineinEgypt,whentheEgyptiansbeggedPharaohforbread.Heinturnreplied:“GotoJoseph;whathesaystoyou,do”(Gen41:55).PharaohwasreferringtoJosephthesonofJacob,whowassoldintoslaverybecauseofthejealousyofhisbrothers(cf.Gen37:11-28)andwho–accordingtothebiblicalaccount–subsequentlybecameviceroyofEgypt(cf.Gen41:41-44).
AsadescendantofDavid(cf.Mt1:16-20),fromwhosestockJesuswastospringaccordingtothepromisemadetoDavidbytheprophetNathan(cf.2Sam7),andasthespouseofMaryofNazareth,SaintJosephstandsatthecrossroadsbetweentheOldandNewTestaments.
2. Atenderandlovingfather
JosephsawJesusgrowdaily“inwisdomandinyearsandindivineandhumanfavour”(Lk2:52).AstheLordhaddonewithIsrael,soJosephdidwithJesus:“hetaughthimtowalk,takinghimbythehand;hewasforhimlikeafatherwhoraisesaninfanttohischeeks,bendingdowntohimandfeedinghim”(cf.Hos11:3-4).
InJoseph,JesussawthetenderloveofGod:“Asafatherhascompassionforhischildren,sotheLordhascompassionforthosewhofearhim”(Ps103:13).
Inthesynagogue,duringtheprayingofthePsalms,JosephwouldsurelyhaveheardagainandagainthattheGodofIsraelisaGodoftenderlove,[11] whoisgoodtoall,whose“compassionisoverallthathehasmade”(Ps145:9).
Thehistoryofsalvationisworkedout“inhopeagainsthope”(Rom4:18),throughourweaknesses.Alltoooften,wethinkthatGodworksonlythroughourbetterparts,yetmostofhisplansarerealizedinanddespiteourfrailty.ThusSaintPaulcouldsay:“Tokeepmefrombeingtooelated,athornwasgivenmeintheflesh,amessengerofSatantotormentme,tokeepmefrombeingtooelated.ThreetimesIappealedtotheLordaboutthis,thatitwouldleaveme,buthesaidtome:‘Mygraceissufficientforyou,forpowerismadeperfectinweakness’”(2Cor12:7-9).
Sincethisispartoftheentireeconomyofsalvation,wemustlearntolookuponourweaknesseswithtendermercy.[12]
TheEvilonemakesusseeandcondemnourfrailty,whereastheSpiritbringsittolightwithtenderlove.Tendernessisthebestwaytotouchthefrailtywithinus.Pointingfingersandjudgingothersarefrequentlysignsofaninabilitytoacceptourownweaknesses,ourownfrailty.Onlytenderlovewillsaveusfromthesnaresoftheaccuser(cf.Rev12:10).ThatiswhyitissoimportanttoencounterGod’smercy,especiallyintheSacramentofReconciliation,whereweexperiencehistruthandtenderness.Paradoxically,theEvilonecanalsospeakthetruthtous,yethedoessoonlytocondemnus.WeknowthatGod’struthdoesnotcondemn,butinsteadwelcomes,embraces,sustainsandforgivesus.ThattruthalwayspresentsitselftouslikethemercifulfatherinJesus’parable(cf.Lk15:11-32).Itcomesouttomeetus,restoresourdignity,setsusbackonourfeetandrejoicesforus,for,asthefathersays:“Thismysonwasdeadandisaliveagain;hewaslostandisfound”(v.24).
EventhroughJoseph’sfears,God’swill,hishistoryandhisplanwereatwork.Joseph,then,teachesusthatfaithinGodincludesbelievingthathecanworkeventhroughourfears,ourfrailtiesandourweaknesses.Healsoteachesusthatamidthetempestsoflife,wemustneverbeafraidtolettheLordsteerourcourse.Attimes,wewanttobeincompletecontrol,yetGodalwaysseesthebiggerpicture.
3 Anobedientfather
AshehaddonewithMary,GodrevealedhissavingplantoJoseph.Hedidsobyusingdreams,whichintheBibleandamongallancientpeoples,wereconsideredawayforhimtomakehiswillknown.[13]
JosephwasdeeplytroubledbyMary’smysteriouspregnancy.Hedidnotwantto“exposehertopublicdisgrace”,[14] sohedecidedto“dismissherquietly”(Mt1:19).
Inthefirstdream,anangelhelpshimresolvehisgravedilemma:“DonotbeafraidtotakeMaryasyourwife,forthechildconceivedinherisfromtheHolySpirit.Shewillbearason,andyouaretonamehimJesus,forhewillsavehispeoplefromtheirsins”(Mt1:20-21).Joseph’sresponsewasimmediate:“WhenJosephawokefromsleep,hedidastheangeloftheLordcommandedhim”(Mt1:24).ObediencemadeitpossibleforhimtosurmounthisdifficultiesandspareMary.
Intheseconddream,theangeltellsJoseph:“Getup,takethechildandhismother,andfleetoEgypt,andremainthereuntilItellyou;forHerodisabouttosearchforthechild,todestroyhim”(Mt2:13).Josephdidnothesitatetoobey,regardlessofthehardshipinvolved:“Hegotup,tookthechildandhismotherbynight,andwenttoEgypt,andremainedthereuntilthedeathofHerod”(Mt2:14-15).
InEgypt,Josephawaitedwithpatienttrusttheangel’snoticethathecouldsafelyreturnhome.Inathirddream,theangeltoldhimthatthosewhosoughttokillthechildweredeadandorderedhimtorise,takethechildandhismother,andreturntothelandofIsrael(cf.Mt2:19-20).Onceagain,Josephpromptlyobeyed.“Hegotup,tookthechildandhismother,andwenttothelandofIsrael”(Mt2:21).
Duringthereturnjourney,“whenJosephheardthatArchelauswasrulingoverJudeainplaceofhisfatherHerod,hewasafraidtogothere.Afterbeingwarnedinadream”–nowforthefourthtime–“hewentawaytothedistrictofGalilee.TherehemadehishomeinatowncalledNazareth”(Mt2:22-23).
TheevangelistLuke,forhispart,tellsusthatJosephundertookthelonganddifficultjourneyfromNazarethtoBethlehemtoberegisteredinhisfamily’stownoforigininthecensusoftheEmperorCaesarAugustus.ThereJesuswasborn(cf.Lk2:7)andhisbirth,likethatofeveryotherchild,wasrecordedintheregistryoftheEmpire.SaintLukeisespeciallyconcernedtotellusthatJesus’parentsobservedalltheprescriptionsoftheLaw:theritesofthecircumcisionofJesus,thepurificationofMaryafterchildbirth,theofferingofthefirstborntoGod(cf.2:21-24).[15]
Ineverysituation,Josephdeclaredhisown“fiat”,likethoseofMaryattheAnnunciationandJesusintheGardenofGethsemane.
Inhisroleastheheadofafamily,JosephtaughtJesustobeobedienttohisparents(cf.Lk2:51),inaccordancewithGod’scommand(cf.Ex20:12).
DuringthehiddenyearsinNazareth,JesuslearnedattheschoolofJosephtodothewilloftheFather.Thatwillwastobehisdailyfood(cf.Jn4:34).Evenatthemostdifficultmomentofhislife,inGethsemane,JesuschosetodotheFather’swillratherthanhisown,[16] becoming“obedientuntodeath,evendeathonacross”(Phil2:8).TheauthoroftheLettertotheHebrewsthusconcludesthatJesus“learnedobediencethroughwhathesuffered”(5:8).
Allthismakesitclearthat“SaintJosephwascalledbyGodtoservethepersonandmissionofJesusdirectlythroughtheexerciseofhisfatherhood”andthatinthisway,“hecooperatedinthefullnessoftimeinthegreatmysteryofsalvationandistrulyaministerofsalvation.”[17]
4 Anacceptingfather
JosephacceptedMaryunconditionally.Hetrustedintheangel’swords.“ThenobilityofJoseph’sheartissuchthatwhathelearnedfromthelawhemadedependentoncharity.Today,inourworldwherepsychological,verbalandphysicalviolencetowardswomenissoevident,Josephappearsasthefigureofarespectfulandsensitiveman.Eventhoughhedoesnotunderstandthebiggerpicture,hemakesadecisiontoprotectMary’sgoodname,herdignityandherlife.Inhishesitationabouthowbesttoact,Godhelpedhimbyenlighteninghisjudgment”.[18]
Ofteninlife,thingshappenwhosemeaningwedonotunderstand.Ourfirstreactionisfrequentlyoneofdisappointmentandrebellion.Josephsetasidehisownideasinordertoacceptthecourseofeventsand,mysteriousastheyseemed,toembracethem,takeresponsibilityforthemandmakethempartofhisownhistory.Unlesswearereconciledwithourownhistory,wewillbeunabletotakeasinglestepforward,forwewillalwaysremainhostagetoourexpectationsandthedisappointmentsthatfollow.
ThespiritualpaththatJosephtracesforusisnotonethatexplains,butaccepts.Onlyasaresultofthisacceptance,thisreconciliation,canwebegintoglimpseabroaderhistory,adeepermeaning.WecanalmosthearanechooftheimpassionedreplyofJobtohiswife,whohadurgedhimtorebelagainsttheevilheendured:“ShallwereceivethegoodatthehandofGod,andnotreceivethebad?”(Job2:10).
Josephiscertainlynotpassivelyresigned,butcourageouslyandfirmlyproactive.Inourownlives,acceptanceandwelcomecanbeanexpressionoftheHolySpirit’sgiftoffortitude.OnlytheLordcangiveusthestrengthneededtoacceptlifeasitis,withallitscontradictions,frustrationsanddisappointments.
Jesus’appearanceinourmidstisagiftfromtheFather,whichmakesitpossibleforeachofustobereconciledtothefleshofourownhistory,evenwhenwefailtounderstanditcompletely.
JustasGodtoldJoseph:“SonofDavid,donotbeafraid!”(Mt1:20),soheseemstotellus:“Donotbeafraid!”Weneedtosetasideallangeranddisappointment,andtoembracethewaythingsare,evenwhentheydonotturnoutaswewish.Notwithmereresignationbutwithhopeandcourage.Inthisway,webecomeopentoadeepermeaning.OurlivescanbemiraculouslyrebornifwefindthecouragetolivetheminaccordancewiththeGospel.Itdoesnotmatterifeverythingseemstohavegonewrongorsomethingscannolongerbefixed.Godcanmakeflowersspringupfromstonyground.Evenifourheartcondemnsus,“Godisgreaterthanourhearts,andheknowseverything”(1Jn3:20).
Here,onceagain,weencounterthatChristianrealismwhichrejectsnothingthatexists.Reality,initsmysteriousandirreduciblecomplexity,isthebearerofexistentialmeaning,withallitslightsandshadows.Thus,theApostlePaulcansay:“Weknowthatallthingsworktogetherforgood,forthosewholoveGod”(Rom8:28).TowhichSaintAugustineadds,“eventhatwhichiscalledevil(etiamilludquodmalumdicitur)”.[19] Inthisgreaterperspective,faithgivesmeaningtoeveryevent,howeverhappyorsad.
Norshouldweeverthinkthatbelievingmeansfindingfacileandcomfortingsolutions.ThefaithChristtaughtusiswhatweseeinSaintJoseph.Hedidnotlookforshortcuts,butconfrontedrealitywithopeneyesandacceptedpersonalresponsibilityforit.
Joseph’sattitudeencouragesustoacceptandwelcomeothersastheyare,withoutexception,andtoshowspecialconcernfortheweak,forGodchooseswhatisweak(cf.1Cor1:27).Heisthe“Fatheroforphansandprotectorofwidows”(Ps68:6),whocommandsustolovethestrangerinourmidst.[20] IliketothinkthatitwasfromSaintJosephthatJesusdrewinspirationfortheparableoftheprodigalsonandthemercifulfather(cf.Lk15:11-32).
5. Acreativelycourageousfather
Ifthefirststageofalltrueinteriorhealingistoacceptourpersonalhistoryandembraceeventhethingsinlifethatwedidnotchoose,wemustnowaddanotherimportantelement:creativecourage.Thisemergesespeciallyinthewaywedealwithdifficulties.Inthefaceofdifficulty,wecaneithergiveupandwalkaway,orsomehowengagewithit.Attimes,difficultiesbringoutresourceswedidnoteventhinkwehad.
Aswereadtheinfancynarratives,wemayoftenwonderwhyGoddidnotactinamoredirectandclearway.YetGodactsthrougheventsandpeople.JosephwasthemanchosenbyGodtoguidethebeginningsofthehistoryofredemption.Hewasthetrue“miracle”bywhichGodsavesthechildandhismother.GodactedbytrustinginJoseph’screativecourage.ArrivinginBethlehemandfindingnolodgingwhereMarycouldgivebirth,Josephtookastableand,asbesthecould,turneditintoawelcominghomefortheSonofGodcomeintotheworld(cf.Lk2:6-7).FacedwithimminentdangerfromHerod,whowantedtokillthechild,Josephwaswarnedonceagaininadreamtoprotectthechild,androseinthemiddleofthenighttopreparetheflightintoEgypt(cf.Mt2:13-14).
Asuperficialreadingofthesestoriescanoftengivetheimpressionthattheworldisatthemercyofthestrongandmighty,butthe“goodnews”oftheGospelconsistsinshowingthat,forallthearroganceandviolenceofworldlypowers,Godalwaysfindsawaytocarryouthissavingplan.Sotoo,ourlivesmayattimesseemtobeatthemercyofthepowerful,buttheGospelshowsuswhatcounts.Godalwaysfindsawaytosaveus,providedweshowthesamecreativecourageasthecarpenterofNazareth,whowasabletoturnaproblemintoapossibilitybytrustingalwaysindivineprovidence.
IfattimesGodseemsnottohelpus,surelythisdoesnotmeanthatwehavebeenabandoned,butinsteadarebeingtrustedtoplan,tobecreative,andtofindsolutionsourselves.
Thatkindofcreativecouragewasshownbythefriendsoftheparalytic,wholoweredhimfromtheroofinordertobringhimtoJesus(cf.Lk5:17-26).Difficultiesdidnotstandinthewayofthosefriends’boldnessandpersistence.TheywereconvincedthatJesuscouldhealtheman,and“findingnowaytobringhiminbecauseofthecrowd,theywentupontheroofandlethimdownwithhisbedthroughthetilesintothemiddleofthecrowdinfrontofJesus.Whenhesawtheirfaith,hesaid,‘Friend,yoursinsareforgivenyou’”(vv.19-20).Jesusrecognizedthecreativefaithwithwhichtheysoughttobringtheirsickfriendtohim.
TheGospeldoesnottellushowlongMary,JosephandthechildremainedinEgypt.Yettheycertainlyneededtoeat,tofindahomeandemployment.Itdoesnottakemuchimaginationtofillinthosedetails.TheHolyFamilyhadtofaceconcreteproblemslikeeveryotherfamily,likesomanyofourmigrantbrothersandsisterswho,todaytoo,risktheirlivestoescapemisfortuneandhunger.Inthisregard,IconsiderSaintJosephthespecialpatronofallthoseforcedtoleavetheirnativelandsbecauseofwar,hatred,persecutionandpoverty.
AttheendofeveryaccountinwhichJosephplaysarole,theGospeltellsusthathegetsup,takesthechildandhismother,anddoeswhatGodcommandedhim(cf.Mt1:24;2:14.21).Indeed,JesusandMaryhisMotherarethemostprecioustreasureofourfaith.[21]
Inthedivineplanofsalvation,theSonisinseparablefromhisMother,fromMary,who“advancedinherpilgrimageoffaith,andfaithfullyperseveredinherunionwithherSonuntilshestoodatthecross”.[22]
WeshouldalwaysconsiderwhetherweourselvesareprotectingJesusandMary,fortheyarealsomysteriouslyentrustedtoourownresponsibility,careandsafekeeping.TheSonoftheAlmightycameintoourworldinastateofgreatvulnerability.Heneededtobedefended,protected,caredforandraisedbyJoseph.GodtrustedJoseph,asdidMary,whofoundinhimsomeonewhowouldnotonlysaveherlife,butwouldalwaysprovideforherandherchild.Inthissense,SaintJosephcouldnotbeotherthantheGuardianoftheChurch,fortheChurchisthecontinuationoftheBodyofChristinhistory,evenasMary’smotherhoodisreflectedinthemotherhoodoftheChurch.[23] InhiscontinuedprotectionoftheChurch,Josephcontinuestoprotectthechildandhismother,andwetoo,byourlovefortheChurch,continuetolovethechildandhismother.
Thatchildwouldgoontosay:“Asyoudidittooneoftheleastofthesewhoaremembersofmyfamily,youdidittome”(Mt25:40).Consequently,everypoor,needy,sufferingordyingperson,everystranger,everyprisoner,everyinfirmpersonis“thechild”whomJosephcontinuestoprotect.Forthisreason,SaintJosephisinvokedasprotectoroftheunfortunate,theneedy,exiles,theafflicted,thepoorandthedying.Consequently,theChurchcannotfailtoshowaspeciallovefortheleastofourbrothersandsisters,forJesusshowedaparticularconcernforthemandpersonallyidentifiedwiththem.FromSaintJoseph,wemustlearnthatsamecareandresponsibility.Wemustlearntolovethechildandhismother,tolovethesacramentsandcharity,tolovetheChurchandthepoor.Eachoftheserealitiesisalwaysthechildandhismother.
6. Aworkingfather
AnaspectofSaintJosephthathasbeenemphasizedfromthetimeofthefirstsocialEncyclical,PopeLeoXIII’sRerumNovarum,ishisrelationtowork.SaintJosephwasacarpenterwhoearnedanhonestlivingtoprovideforhisfamily.Fromhim,Jesuslearnedthevalue,thedignityandthejoyofwhatitmeanstoeatbreadthatisthefruitofone’sownlabour.
Inourownday,whenemploymenthasoncemorebecomeaburningsocialissue,andunemploymentattimesreachesrecordlevelseveninnationsthatfordecadeshaveenjoyedacertaindegreeofprosperity,thereisarenewedneedtoappreciatetheimportanceofdignifiedwork,ofwhichSaintJosephisanexemplarypatron.
Workisameansofparticipatingintheworkofsalvation,anopportunitytohastenthecomingoftheKingdom,todevelopourtalentsandabilities,andtoputthemattheserviceofsocietyandfraternalcommunion.Itbecomesanopportunityforthefulfilmentnotonlyofoneself,butalsoofthatprimarycellofsocietywhichisthefamily.Afamilywithoutworkisparticularlyvulnerabletodifficulties,tensions,estrangementandevenbreak-up.Howcanwespeakofhumandignitywithoutworkingtoensurethateveryoneisabletoearnadecentliving?
Workingpersons,whatevertheirjobmaybe,arecooperatingwithGodhimself,andinsomewaybecomecreatorsoftheworldaroundus.Thecrisisofourtime,whichiseconomic,social,culturalandspiritual,canserveasasummonsforallofustorediscoverthevalue,theimportanceandnecessityofworkforbringingaboutanew“normal”fromwhichnooneisexcluded.SaintJoseph’sworkremindsusthatGodhimself,inbecomingman,didnotdisdainwork.Thelossofemploymentthataffectssomanyofourbrothersandsisters,andhasincreasedasaresultoftheCovid-19pandemic,shouldserveasasummonstoreviewourpriorities.LetusimploreSaintJosephtheWorkertohelpusfindwaystoexpressourfirmconvictionthatnoyoungperson,nopersonatall,nofamilyshouldbewithoutwork!
7. Afatherintheshadows
ThePolishwriterJanDobraczyński,inhisbookTheShadowoftheFather,[24] tellsthestoryofSaintJoseph’slifeintheformofanovel.HeusestheevocativeimageofashadowtodefineJoseph.InhisrelationshiptoJesus,JosephwastheearthlyshadowoftheheavenlyFather:hewatchedoverhimandprotectedhim,neverleavinghimtogohisownway.WecanthinkofMoses’wordstoIsrael:“Inthewilderness…yousawhowtheLordyourGodcarriedyou,justasonecarriesachild,allthewaythatyoutravelled”(Deut1:31).Inasimilarway,Josephactedasafatherforhiswholelife.[25]
Fathersarenotborn,butmade.Amandoesnotbecomeafathersimplybybringingachildintotheworld,butbytakinguptheresponsibilitytocareforthatchild.Wheneveramanacceptsresponsibilityforthelifeofanother,insomewayhebecomesafathertothatperson.
Childrentodayoftenseemorphans,lackingfathers.TheChurchtooneedsfathers.SaintPaul’swordstotheCorinthiansremaintimely:“ThoughyouhavecountlessguidesinChrist,youdonothavemanyfathers”(1Cor4:15).Everypriestorbishopshouldbeabletoadd,withtheApostle:“IbecameyourfatherinChristJesusthroughtheGospel”(ibid.).PaullikewisecallstheGalatians:“Mylittlechildren,withwhomIamagainintravailuntilChristbeformedinyou!”(4:19).
Beingafatherentailsintroducingchildrentolifeandreality.Notholdingthemback,beingoverprotectiveorpossessive,butrathermakingthemcapableofdecidingforthemselves,enjoyingfreedomandexploringnewpossibilities.Perhapsforthisreason,Josephistraditionallycalleda“mostchaste”father.Thattitleisnotsimplyasignofaffection,butthesummationofanattitudethatistheoppositeofpossessiveness.Chastityisfreedomfrompossessivenessineverysphereofone’slife.Onlywhenloveischaste,isittrulylove.Apossessiveloveultimatelybecomesdangerous:itimprisons,constrictsandmakesformisery.Godhimselflovedhumanitywithachastelove;heleftusfreeeventogoastrayandsetourselvesagainsthim.Thelogicofloveisalwaysthelogicoffreedom,andJosephknewhowtolovewithextraordinaryfreedom.Henevermadehimselfthecentreofthings.Hedidnotthinkofhimself,butfocusedinsteadonthelivesofMaryandJesus.
Josephfoundhappinessnotinmereself-sacrificebutinself-gift.Inhim,weneverseefrustrationbutonlytrust.Hispatientsilencewasthepreludetoconcreteexpressionsoftrust.Ourworldtodayneedsfathers.Ithasnousefortyrantswhowoulddomineerothersasameansofcompensatingfortheirownneeds.Itrejectsthosewhoconfuseauthoritywithauthoritarianism,servicewithservility,discussionwithoppression,charitywithawelfarementality,powerwithdestruction.Everytruevocationisbornofthegiftofoneself,whichisthefruitofmaturesacrifice.Thepriesthoodandconsecratedlifelikewiserequirethiskindofmaturity.Whateverourvocation,whethertomarriage,celibacyorvirginity,ourgiftofselfwillnotcometofulfilmentifitstopsatsacrifice;werethatthecase,insteadofbecomingasignofthebeautyandjoyoflove,thegiftofselfwouldriskbeinganexpressionofunhappiness,sadnessandfrustration.
Whenfathersrefusetolivethelivesoftheirchildrenforthem,newandunexpectedvistasopenup.Everychildisthebearerofauniquemysterythatcanonlybebroughttolightwiththehelpofafatherwhorespectsthatchild’sfreedom.Afatherwhorealizesthatheismostafatherandeducatoratthepointwhenhebecomes“useless”,whenheseesthathischildhasbecomeindependentandcanwalkthepathsoflifeunaccompanied.WhenhebecomeslikeJoseph,whoalwaysknewthathischildwasnothisownbuthadmerelybeenentrustedtohiscare.Intheend,thisiswhatJesuswouldhaveusunderstandwhenhesays:“Callnomanyourfatheronearth,foryouhaveoneFather,whoisinheaven”(Mt23:9).
Ineveryexerciseofourfatherhood,weshouldalwayskeepinmindthatithasnothingtodowithpossession,butisrathera“sign”pointingtoagreaterfatherhood.Inaway,wearealllikeJoseph:ashadowoftheheavenlyFather,who“makeshissunriseontheevilandonthegood,andsendsrainonthejustandontheunjust”(Mt5:45).AndashadowthatfollowshisSon.
*.*.*
“Getup,takethechildandhismother”(Mt2:13),GodtoldSaintJoseph.
TheaimofthisApostolicLetteristoincreaseourloveforthisgreatsaint,toencourageustoimplorehisintercessionandtoimitatehisvirtuesandhiszeal.
Indeed,thepropermissionofthesaintsisnotonlytoobtainmiraclesandgraces,buttointercedeforusbeforeGod,likeAbraham[26] andMoses[27],andlikeJesus,the“onemediator”(1Tim2:5),whoisour“advocate”withtheFather(1Jn2:1)andwho“alwayslivestomakeintercessionfor [us]”(Heb7:25;cf.Rom8:34).
Thesaintshelpallthefaithful“tostrivefortheholinessandtheperfectionoftheirparticularstateoflife”.[28] TheirlivesareconcreteproofthatitispossibletoputtheGospelintopractice.
Jesustoldus:“Learnfromme,forIamgentleandlowlyinheart”(Mt11:29).Thelivesofthesaintstooareexamplestobeimitated.SaintPaulexplicitlysaysthis:“Beimitatorsofme!”(1Cor4:16).[29] Byhiseloquentsilence,SaintJosephsaysthesame.
Beforetheexampleofsomanyholymenandwomen,SaintAugustineaskedhimself:“Whattheycoulddo,canyounotalsodo?”Andsohedrewclosertohisdefinitiveconversion,whenhecouldexclaim:“LatehaveIlovedyou,Beautyeverancient,evernew!”[30]
WeneedonlyaskSaintJosephforthegraceofgraces:ourconversion.
Letusnowmakeourprayertohim:
Hail,GuardianoftheRedeemer,
SpouseoftheBlessedVirginMary.
ToyouGodentrustedhisonlySon;
inyouMaryplacedhertrust;
withyouChristbecameman.
BlessedJoseph,toustoo,
showyourselfafather
andguideusinthepathoflife.
Obtainforusgrace,mercyandcourage,
anddefendusfromeveryevil.Amen.
GiveninRome,atSaintJohnLateran,on8December,SolemnityoftheImmaculateConceptionoftheBlessedVirginMary,intheyear2020,theeighthofmyPontificate.
FRANCIS
_______________________
[1] Lk4:22;Jn6:42;cf.Mt13:55;Mk6:3.
[2] S.RITUUMCONGREGATIO,QuemadmodumDeus(8December1870):ASS6(1870-71),194.
[3] Cf.AddresstoACLIontheSolemnityofSaintJosephtheWorker(1May1955):AAS47(1955),406.
[4] Cf.ApostolicExhortationRedemptorisCustos(15August1989):AAS82(1990),5-34.
[5] CatechismoftheCatholicChurch,1014.
[6] MeditationintheTimeofPandemic(27March2020):L’OsservatoreRomano,29March2020,p.10.
[7] InMatthaeumHomiliae,V,3:PG57,58.
[8] Homily(19March1966):InsegnamentidiPaoloVI,IV(1966),110.
[9] Cf.Autobiography,6,6-8.
[10] Everyday, for over forty years, following Lauds I have recited a prayer to Saint Joseph taken from a nineteenth-century French prayer book of the Congregation of the Sisters of Jesus and Mary. It expresses devotion and trust, and even poses a certain challenge to Saint Joseph: “Glorious Patriarch Saint Joseph, whose power makes the impossible possible, come to my aid in these times of anguishanddifficulty.TakeunderyourprotectiontheseriousandtroublingsituationsthatIcommendtoyou,thattheymayhaveahappyoutcome.Mybelovedfather,allmytrustisinyou.LetitnotbesaidthatIinvokedyouinvain, and since you can do every thing with Jesus and Mary, show me that your goodness is as great as your power. Amen.”
[11] Cf.Deut4:31;Ps69:16;78:38;86:5;111:4;116:5;Jer31:20.
[12] Cf.ApostolicExhortationEvangeliiGaudium(24November2013),88,288:AAS105(2013),1057,1136-1137.
[13] Cf.Gen20:3;28:12;31:11.24;40:8;41:1-32;Num12:6;1Sam3:3-10;Dan2,4;Job33:15.
[14] Insuchcases,provisionsweremadeevenforstoning(cf.Deut22:20-21).
[15] Cf.Lev12:1-8;Ex13:2.
[16] Cf.Mt26:39;Mk14:36;Lk22:42.
[17] SAINTJOHNPAULII,ApostolicExhortationRedemptorisCustos(15August1989),8:AAS82(1990),14.
[18] HomilyatMassandBeatifications,Villavicencio,Colombia(8September2017):AAS109(2017),1061.
[19] Enchiridiondefide,speetcaritate,3.11:PL40,236.
[20] Cf.Deut10:19;Ex22:20-22;Lk10:29-37.
[21] Cf.S.RITUUMCONGREGATIO,QuemadmodumDeus(8December1870):ASS6(1870-1871),193;BLESSEDPIUSIX,ApostolicLetterInclytumPatriarcham(7July1871):l.c.,324-327.
[22] SECONDVATICANECUMENICALCOUNCIL,DogmaticConstitutionontheChurchLumenGentium,58.
[23] CatechismoftheCatholicChurch,963-970.
[24] Originaledition:CieńOjca,Warsaw,1977.
[25] Cf.SAINTJOHNPAULII,ApostolicExhortationRedemptorisCustos,7-8:AAS82(1990),12-16.
[26] Cf.Gen18:23-32.
[27] Cf.Ex17:8-13;32:30-35.
[28] SECONDVATICANECUMENICALCOUNCIL,DogmaticConstitutionLumenGentium,42.
[29] Cf.1Cor11:1;Phil3:17;1Thess1:6.
[30] Confessions,VIII,11,27:PL32,761;X,27,38:PL32,795.[01509-EN.01][Originaltext:Italian]
https://zenit.org/2020/12/08/breaking-pope-francis-announces-year-of-st-joseph/
İlk yorum yapan siz olun