Eight
days after the birth of Christ, St Joseph would have the duty to hand the Child
over to be circumcised, as was prescribed by the Law. At this ceremony, St
Joseph’s heart would offer three hidden sacrifices to the Heavenly Father on
behalf of his Son.
The
first sacrifice would be the Infant Jesus, though entirely sinless and perfect,
assuming the degradation of a sinner. He
did this by submitting himself to the rite of circumcision which was instituted
as a form of remedy to make peace between the sinner and the Lord. St Joseph did not have to submit his Son to
this, since Jesus himself had no original sin in him, but out of humility he
abided by the Law. Joseph offered up the
humility of the Divine Child.
God
made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the
righteousness of God.
– 2 Corinthians
5:21
The
second offering of St Joseph was the willingness to allow Christ to suffer the
pain of the circumcision. This first cut
into the tender flesh of the Jesus would be for him his first physical
suffering at the hands of another, but with St Joseph there to comfort
him. Years later at his Passion, Jesus
would not be granted consolation for his pain until he breathed his last. He would be helpless and without comfort.
Scorn
has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was
none, for comforters, but I found none. –
Psalm 69:20
The
third sacrifice at this event would be the shedding of blood - fully displaying
the human side of Our Lord. St Joseph would make the first offering of the Most
Precious Blood in reparation for the many offences committed against God.
This
is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness
of sins. – St Matthew 26:28
After
this sorrowful course, the heart of St Joseph would now be infused with joy as
he had just fulfilled his first official act as father in Jewish society. Since the beginning of time Joseph was
chosen, just as Mary was, to play an important role in the history of mankind.
Joseph was the first man to utter the name of Our Saviour, his lips having the
honour of pronouncing the Most Holy Name of Jesus! How the Heavens must have rejoiced at this
moment as the Name of Salvation was spoken!
And
when eight days were fulfilled for his circumcision, his name was called Jesus,
the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. – St Luke 2:21
