The WORD in other words (2006) by Fr Cornelio Alpuerto SVD – Saint Arnold Janssen Parish, Cebu City
December 18 – Advent
Question at the noontime TV Show “Pilipinas, Game Ka Na Ba?”: The Catholic Church teaches that the Blessed Virgin Mary, though remaining a virgin, gave birth to Jesus, the Savior of the World. What is this doctrine called?
A male participant: Immaculate Conception.
Kris Aquino: You are wrong. The others can steal.
A female participant: The Virgin Birth.
Kris Aquino: Correct!
For isn’t it our faith that, in the relations of the Triune God, the Son is son indeed in relation to the Father, but no mother is involved?
And isn’t it true also that, in the Incarnation, Jesus, the Word-made-flesh, is Son indeed but without a human father?
Still more, isn’t it true that Jesus, the Son of Mary of Nazareth, needed someone worthy to stand as his father before the eyes of people, otherwise Mary’s reputation would be ruined?
And so Joseph, the carpenter, the silent one, is the perfect response to this human need.
What a vocation Joseph had!
And how perfectly well he responded to God’s call!
In the beginning, though, on learning that Mary was already with child, his first impulse was to put her aside, to disengage himself from her. Being a just man, he did not want to have anything to do with an already pregnant girl. But again being a just man, he did not want to put her to shame; so he decided to put her aside quietly; no fuss at all.
And it was at that point that God intervened – through a dream. And so it was that Joseph learned of the Divine Secret. How privileged he was! And what a wise choice on the part of God, entrusting a precious secret to one who, to all indications, loved to be silent.
Foster father of Jesus, protector of Mary’s honor, breadwinner of the Holy Family – Joseph became all these and more.
What a calling Joseph had from God.
Also, what a response God had from Joseph!
