Dec 13, 2024 Written by 

On behalf of wounded humanity

The Gospel according to St Matthew recounts the birth of Jesus from St Joseph’s viewpoint. He was betrothed to Mary who, “before they came together… was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 1:18). The Son of God, fulfilling an ancient prophecy (cf. Is 7:14), became man in the womb of a virgin and this mystery at the same time expressed the love, wisdom and power of God for mankind, wounded by sin. St Joseph is presented as “a just man” (Mt 1:19), faithful to God’s law and ready to do his will. For this reason he enters the mystery of the Incarnation after an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, announcing: “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Mt 1:20-21). Having given up the idea of divorcing Mary secretly, Joseph took her to himself because he then saw God’s work in her with his own eyes.

St Ambrose comments that “Joseph had the amiability and stature of a just man, to make his capacity as a witness worthier” (Exp. Ev. sec. Lucam II, 5: CCL 14,32-33). St Ambrose continues: “He could not have contaminated the temple of the Holy Spirit, the Mother of the Lord, the womb rendered fertile by the mystery” (ibid., II, 6: CCL 14,33). Although he had felt distressed, Joseph “did as the Angel of the Lord commanded him”, certain that he was doing the right thing. And in giving the name of “Jesus” to the Child who rules the entire universe, he placed himself among the throng of humble and faithful servants, similar to the Angels and Prophets, similar to the Martyrs and to the Apostles — as the ancient Eastern hymns sing. In witnessing to Mary’s virginity, to God’s gratuitous action and in safeguarding the Messiah’s earthly life St Joseph announces the miracle of the Lord. Therefore let us venerate the legal father of Jesus (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 532), because the new man is outlined in him, who looks with trust and courage to the future. He does not follow his own plans but entrusts himself without reserve to the infinite mercy of the One who will fulfil the prophecies and open the time of salvation.

[Pope Benedict, Angelus 19 December 2010]

19 Last modified on Friday, 13 December 2024 03:52
don Giuseppe Nespeca

Giuseppe Nespeca è architetto e sacerdote. Cultore della Sacra scrittura è autore della raccolta "Due Fuochi due Vie - Religione e Fede, Vangeli e Tao"; coautore del libro "Dialogo e Solstizio".

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“Trovarono”: questa parola indica la Ricerca. Questa è la verità sull’uomo. Non la si può falsificare. Non la si può nemmeno distruggere. La si deve lasciare all’uomo perché essa lo definisce (Giovanni Paolo II)
Thousands of Christians throughout the world begin the day by singing: “Blessed be the Lord” and end it by proclaiming “the greatness of the Lord, for he has looked with favour on his lowly servant” (Pope Francis)
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La nuova Creazione annunciata in periferia investe il territorio antico, che ancora tergiversa. Anche noi, accettando orizzonti differenti dal previsto, consentiamo all’anima divina della storia della salvezza di farci visita
People have a dream: to guess identity and mission. The feast is a sign that the Lord has come to the family
Il popolo ha un Sogno: cogliere la sua identità e missione. La festa è segno che il Signore è giunto in famiglia
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«Per opera dello Spirito Santo si è incarnato nel seno della Vergine Maria». A questa frase ci inginocchiamo perché il velo che nascondeva Dio, viene, per così dire, aperto e il suo mistero insondabile e inaccessibile ci tocca: Dio diventa l’Emmanuele, “Dio con noi” (Papa Benedetto)
The ancient priest stagnates, and evaluates based on categories of possibilities; reluctant to the Spirit who moves situationsi
Il sacerdote antico ristagna, e valuta basando su categorie di possibilità; riluttante allo Spirito che smuove le situazioni
«Even through Joseph’s fears, God’s will, his history and his plan were at work. Joseph, then, teaches us that faith in God includes believing that he can work even through our fears, our frailties and our weaknesses. He also teaches us that amid the tempests of life, we must never be afraid to let the Lord steer our course. At times, we want to be in complete control, yet God always sees the bigger picture» (Patris Corde, n.2).
«Anche attraverso l’angustia di Giuseppe passa la volontà di Dio, la sua storia, il suo progetto. Giuseppe ci insegna così che avere fede in Dio comprende pure il credere che Egli può operare anche attraverso le nostre paure, le nostre fragilità, la nostra debolezza. E ci insegna che, in mezzo alle tempeste della vita, non dobbiamo temere di lasciare a Dio il timone della nostra barca. A volte noi vorremmo controllare tutto, ma Lui ha sempre uno sguardo più grande» (Patris Corde, n.2).
Man is the surname of God: the Lord in fact takes his name from each of us - whether we are saints or sinners - to make him our surname (Pope Francis). God's fidelity to the Promise is realized not only through men, but with them (Pope Benedict).

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