Pope's Catechesis
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
Last Wednesday we began the cycle of catechesis on the figure of Saint Joseph - the year dedicated to him is coming to an end [finished 8/12/2021 ed]. Today we continue this journey by focusing on his role in the history of salvation.
Jesus in the Gospels is referred to as "son of Joseph" (Lc 3,23; 4,22; Gv 1,45; 6,42) and «son of the carpenter» (Mt 13,55; Mc 6,3). The Evangelists Matthew and Luke, narrating the childhood of Jesus, give space to the role of Joseph. Both make up a "genealogy", to highlight the historicity of Jesus. Matthew, addressing above all the Judeo-Christians, starts from Abraham to arrive at Joseph, defined as "the husband of Mary, from whom Jesus, known as the Christ, was born" (1,16, 3,23). Luke, on the other hand, goes back to Adam, starting directly from Jesus, who "was the son of Joseph", but specifies: "as he was thought to be" as such (XNUMX). Therefore, both Evangelists present Joseph not as a biological father, but in any case as the full father of Jesus. Through him, Jesus brings about the fulfillment of the history of the alliance and salvation between God and man. For Matthew this story begins with Abraham, for Luke with the very origin of humanity, that is, with Adam.
The evangelist Matthew helps us to understand that the figure of Joseph, although apparently marginal, discreet, in the second line, instead represents a central piece in the history of salvation. Giuseppe experiences his protagonism without ever wanting to take over the scene. If we think about it, «our lives are woven and supported by ordinary people – usually forgotten – who do not appear in the headlines of newspapers and magazines […]. How many fathers, mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers, teachers, show our children, with small gestures, with daily gestures, how to face and navigate a crisis by readjusting habits, raising their gaze and stimulating prayer. How many people pray, offer and intercede for the good of all" (Apostolic Letter. homeland cord, 1). Thus, everyone can find in Saint Joseph, the man who goes unnoticed, the man of daily presence, of discreet and hidden presence, an intercessor, support and guidance in moments of difficulty. He reminds us that all those who are apparently hidden or on the "second line" have an unparalleled role in the history of salvation. The world needs these men and women: men and women on the second line, but who support the development of our lives, of each of us, and who support us with prayer, with example, with teaching on the road of life.
In the Gospel of Luke, Joseph appears as the guardian of Jesus and Mary. And for this reason he is also the guardian of the Church: but, if he was the guardian of Jesus and Mary, he also works now that he is in heaven, and continues to be the guardian of the Church in this case; because the Church is the extension of the Body of Christ in history, and at the same time the motherhood of Mary is foreshadowed in the motherhood of the Church. Joseph, continuing to protect the Church – please do not forget this: today, Joseph protects the Church – continues to protect the Child and his mother »(ibid., 5). This aspect of Joseph's custody is the great response to the Genesis story. When God asks Cain to account for Abel's life, he responds: "Am I my brother's keeper?" (4,9). Joseph, with his life, seems to want to tell us that we are always called to feel like guardians of our brothers, guardians of those who are placed next to us, of those who the Lord entrusts to us through many circumstances of life.
A society like ours, which has been defined as "liquid", because it seems to have no consistency... I will correct that philosopher who coined this definition and say: more than liquid, gaseous, a properly gaseous society. This liquid, gaseous society finds in the story of Joseph a very precise indication of the importance of human bonds. In fact, the Gospel tells us the genealogy of Jesus, as well as for a theological reason, to remind each of us that our life is made up of ties that precede us and accompany us. The Son of God, to come into the world, chose the path of bonds, the path of history: he did not descend into the world magically, no. He took the historic path that we all take.
Dear brothers and sisters, I think of many people who struggle to find meaningful connections in their lives, and for this very reason they struggle, feel alone, do not have the strength and courage to move forward. I would like to conclude with a prayer that helps them and all of us to find in Saint Joseph an ally, a friend and a support.
St. Joseph,
you who have preserved the bond with Mary and with Jesus,
help us take care of the relationships in our lives.
No one experiences that sense of abandonment
that comes from loneliness.
Everyone reconciles with their own history,
with those who preceded him,
and also recognize the mistakes made
a way through which Providence made its way,
and evil did not have the last word.
Show yourself a friend to those who struggle more,
and how you supported Mary and Jesus in difficult moments,
so you also support us on our journey. Amen.