HOW I CAME TO JESUS THROUGH MARY AND JOSEPH

I. All my life, even in childhood, I was a stranger to Jesus. I didn’t understand who He was. I confess I didn’t even know that Jesus was God until the question was raised in the fictional book “The DaVinci Code”, which I read in 2003. Growing up, all through my catechism years it was never taught to me, that Jesus was indeed God. I knew that He was the Son of God, a holy man, who worked miracles on Earth. I tried reading the Bible several times to get to know Jesus, but I found it boring, so I stopped. I wasn’t ready to learn that way. I knew that He died for my sins and so I felt obligated to love and worship Him (though I didn’t know how to love or worship Him.) Jesus eluded me and I didn’t know how to treat Him. Enter Mary.

II.  “WHAT HAVE THE SAINTS EVER DONE FOR YOU??!!!” he thundered from above; his wild, piercing black eyes daring me to answer his sarcasm, as to provoke an even greater rage. “Why can’t you be normal like other guys your age??!!”

I sat silently. I fought with all I had in me to not let him see me shake. Too afraid to cry, I bit down on my lower lip to keep it from trembling in the slightest, my body tense and rigid to the point where I thought my neck would snap, my adolescent eyes were locked on his. He continued his tirade.

Though the moment may have only lasted no more than two minutes, it felt to me as though time were suspended. I will never forget it. The booming voice was my father’s. My mom was at work. I was sitting at my desk drawing an image of the Virgin Mary.

As a child, adolescent, and young man, I was always attracted to the Blessed Virgin. I was a lover of art, and what first drew me to Mary was a statue depiction of her as Nossa Senhora de Fatima. I was captivated by her beauty. I was mesmerized by her.

Becoming familiar with the Virgin of Fatima, Portugal, and not being supported spiritually by my mother, who had an aversion to the Virgin Mary, I felt spiritually loved by our heavenly mother whose eyes looked down at me with such tenderness, and I in turn loved her. I began to relearn my Catholic faith through her apparitions of 1917 (which summarize much of the Catechism), and I placed my heavenly mother both on a pedestal, and cornerstone of my Faith.  In relearning my Faith, I began to understand who Jesus was. Mary taught me so much about Jesus that I didn’t know before: Her son, Jesus, is God. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one God in three persons. The bread and wine at Mass become the real presence of the body, blood, soul and divinity of her Son. Heaven, Hell, and even Purgatory, are all real. The Pope is indeed the Vicar of Christ and must be supported by our prayers. Sinners can convert through the penance of the faithful. I learned all of this from the Virgin Mary. I learned more about her Son through the Rosary she kept urging me to pray. While learning all that I did, I still preferred the comfort and familiarity of Mary, loving her more than Jesus. But she planted a seed in me that would grow with love for her Son and give me a new appreciation of Who He is. 

The time eventually came for her to cut the apron strings and she pushed me forward, a little closer to her Son. But I still could not approach Him on my own – I wasn’t ready. Enter St. Joseph.

III.  Growing up, I’ve looked back and I’ve realized that I didn’t have a close relationship with my father. Like some men, I didn’t feel loved by my father in my boyhood, nor did I feel guided by a paternal hand into manhood. I didn’t have the close father-son bond that a lot of other guys had growing up. Of course, God was and is ultimately everyone’s father, but when I was young, I couldn’t figure out who God the Father was, I couldn’t establish that connection that I felt I needed. I saw Him as a distant parental figure, unapproachable. But as I grew, I discovered another heavenly father, though he was not equal to God: St. Joseph.

Here was a man who loved, nurtured, taught, and moulded his son from boyhood into manhood – as every father should. And not just any son, but the very Son of God, Jesus, who I was trying to reach. I needed St. Joseph for a father because what I longed for in my life was the close father-son relationship that I could not have. I also felt I could relate to him in a way as he always seemed to be ignored by people, left unnoticed. And so, I felt a bit of a connection there for I never fit in either and was easily dismissed by others, just as I felt Joseph was.

I remember I would sometimes go to Mass at Ste. Amelie church, in Manitoba, and on either side of the altar were two niches: one had a beautiful statue of Our Lady holding the Child Jesus – there were flowers and banners around her. But on the other side of the altar was a niche with St. Joseph which looked to be almost desolate – there was nothing there to adorn it. The saint looked forgotten. I was an ignored son in my own life and so I wanted to reach out to the “ignored father” and become a “Son of St. Joseph”. As I did with the Blessed Virgin of Fatima, I felt a familial connection, I felt loved by Joseph. As a son who loves his father, I was all too eager to talk about him – non-stop at times. He was my hero-Dad whom I looked up to.

Joseph taught me that though Jesus was God, the second person of the Holy Trinity, He willed to be fragile like us. Jesus, though all powerful, allowed Himself to be under the authority of one of His own creatures! Joseph taught me that Jesus was not just some “know it all”, adolescent-God-child, aloof from the rest of us, but a boy who grew into a man appreciating affection and friendship just like anyone else.

Again, the question: Did I love St. Joseph more than Jesus? Yes. But, reminiscent of my time with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Joseph knew when to push me forward, to his Son. Just as a father introduces his son to another boy, in hopes that they will become good friends, Joseph did this for me. Enter (finally) Jesus.

IV.  Through the guidance and teachings of Mary and Joseph, my heavenly parents (and yours’ too I hope), I have come to the point in my journey where I am finally comfortable with Jesus. I see Him as my friend and companion who looks out for me, listens to me, gives me a hard time while at the same time being a shoulder for me to lean on. I now see Him not as an unapproachable figure, but as an older brother who would do anything for me – even give His life to spare mine.

I am now closer and more familiar with Jesus than I ever have been before, and I feel a sense of pride in my Lord whom I dare to call “brother.” I am comfortable with Jesus, yet my soul is still learning how to love and worship Him as much as the saints did. For the most part, I can balance my relationship with Him: the informality of friendship and brotherly love, with the reverence and holy fear deserving of God.

My heart is still trying to discern the unfathomable love He truly has for me. I know I will never fully understand His love and mercy for me, at least not while I walk this earth. Now, do I love Mary more than Jesus? No. But I still love her above all women. Do I love Joseph more than Jesus? No. But I still love him above any man. Do I love Jesus above His blessed parents? Finally, the answer is a resounding “yes”. Do I fully understand it? Not yet, but that’s okay. 

I sometimes think of how my heart would yearn for someone I loved and how it seemed to beat in union with theirs’, as though ours’ was one, shared heart. Then I think to myself “why don’t I love Jesus that way? Why doesn’t my heart yearn for Him, why doesn’t it hurt when I am distanced from Him?” When I am in love I don’t have to “try” to feel this way. I am simply in love, and love comes from God. I didn’t choose love, it just is – just as God is (the “I am”).

I am greedy. I love Jesus, yes, but now I want to fall deeply in love with Him, as though each beat of my heart relied on His to sustain it. I’ve read the writings of the saints and learned that many of them were blessed to attain this union with Christ while still on earth. But, more than likely, I will have to wait until Heaven for this intimacy with my Lord, if He permits me, but even so I won’t stop striving for it.

- joe  

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♔ POPE FRANCIS' PRAYER TO THE HOLY FAMILY ♔

Jesus, Mary and Joseph
to you, Holy Family of Nazareth,
today we turn our gaze
with admiration and confidence;
in you we contemplate
the beauty of communion in true love;
to you we commend our families,
so that in them marvels of grace be renewed.

Holy Family of Nazareth,
alluring school of the Gospel:
teach us to imitate your virtues
with a wise spiritual discipline,
grant us a clear vision
that recognizes the work of Providence
in the daily realities of life.

Holy Family of Nazareth,
faithful custodian of the mystery of salvation:
help us to regain an appreciation for silence,
make our families cenacles of prayer
and transform them into little domestic Churches,
renew the desire for sanctity,
sustain the noble toil of work, of education,
of listening, of mutual understanding and of forgiveness.

Holy Family of Nazareth,
reawaken in our society the consciousness
of the sacred and inviolable character of the family,
an inestimable and irreplaceable good.
May every family be a place where goodness and peace are welcomed for children and for the elderly,
for those who are sick and alone,
for those who are poor and needy.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
we pray to you with confidence,
we entrust ourselves to you with joy.

 

 

♔ The Birth of Christ - A Masterpiece of Love! ♔ - by Servant of God Sister Lucia of Fatima

We recall the Birth of Jesus Christ, God made man. This is a masterpiece of love! God descends from Heaven to the earth, to save His poor creatures. Yes, He came from Heaven; He became man, embracing the humble existence of His creation! He, who is eternal God as the Father, equal to the Father in power, wisdom, and love! Born as a man, but is eternal as God!

He came into the world and was made man and was manifested as Light, Light that shines in the darkness: Present among us today as then, but now his humanity is veiled; is present in His Word and by His Works, in the Eucharist and in the Sacraments, the Church and in the person of each of our brothers and sisters. For those who follow Christ, find in Him the Light and Life.

This is how the Birth of Jesus Christ took place: «Joseph, leaving the city of Nazareth, in Galilee, went to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his wife, who was with child. And, while they were there, she gave birth to her first-born and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

In the same region, there were shepherds (...) The Angel of the Lord appeared to them and said to them: “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all people; this day, in the city of David, a Savior was born for you, who is Christ the Lord”» (Lk 2, 4-12).

St. Luke then refers to the shepherds, who saw and heard what was said to them and they believed and praised God. In the same way, we should also revive our faith in the revelation which God gives us here; we must believe and say: «My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love You. I ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love You».

And, like Our Lady, we must keep all these truths in our hearts, with faith, hope and love.

⚒ JESUS & JOSEPH AT WORK ⚒

The time for transition in the life of Christ was at hand and he was to engage fully in manual work. In the years leading up to this, he spent most of his time with Our Lady in the home of Nazareth while his father worked to provide for the family. As Jesus grew he became more involved with St. Joseph’s work in the family’s carpentry shop. We are given a scene from this time by Servant of God Mother Cecilia Baij and a reflection by Pope St. John Paul II and Pope Francis:

Mother Cecilia Baij: When Jesus manifested to Joseph his readiness to serve him in his work, Joseph prostrated himself on the ground out of reverence for this ordination of God the Father, and proceeded to give thanks together with Jesus. After they had rendered the Divine Praises for that morning, Joseph went to work taking Jesus with him.

To see Jesus present in his shop made Joseph’s heart leap for joy … Turning to Jesus, Joseph said: “Oh my Jesus, my dear Son, you already know that my own desire is to be entirely at your service, but the Heavenly Father has decreed otherwise. In obedience to him, I shall command you in regard to those matters in which this is necessary. Nevertheless, as I have already stated, I shall do so only in order that I may fulfill the Will of God.”

In reply, Jesus encouraged Joseph to make his demands freely, and according to his own desires, as they were both obliged to carry out the designs of the Heavenly Father.

… The Divine Youth always stood by, ready to be of service, and he was most alert in regard to what might be required of him in order to be of assistance to Joseph. Even though Jesus knew what Joseph needed, he rarely performed tasks directly, because he wanted to be commanded to do so by Joseph, and, thereby, practice humility and submissiveness.  – Servant of God Mother Cecilia Baij

Pope St. John Paul II, Redemptoris Custos: Work was the daily expression of love in the life of the Family of Nazareth. The Gospel specifies the kind of work Joseph did in order to support his family: he was a carpenter. This simple word sums up Joseph's entire life. … Having learned the work of his presumed father, Jesus was known as "the carpenter's son." If the Family of Nazareth is an example and model for human families, in the order of salvation and holiness, so too, by analogy, is Jesus' work at the side of Joseph the carpenter… At the workbench where he plied his trade together with Jesus, Joseph brought human work  closer to the mystery of the Redemption.

Pope Francis, Audience, 1 May 2013: In the Gospel of St. Matthew, one of the times when Jesus returns to his native region, to Nazareth, and speaks in the synagogue, the Gospel underlines his fellow villagers' astonishment at his wisdom, and the question they ask one another: “is not this the carpenter's son?" (13:55.) Jesus enters into our history, he comes into our midst, being born of Mary by the work of God, but with the presence of St. Joseph, the legal father who guards him and even teaches him his trade. Jesus was born and lived in a family, in the Holy Family, learning from St. Joseph the carpenter's trade, in the workshop of Nazareth, sharing with him his commitment, hard work and satisfaction, as well as each day's difficulties. This calls to mind for us the dignity and importance of work. … Work is part of the plan of God's love; we are called to cultivate and safeguard all the goods of creation and in this way we participate in the work of creation!

Ecclesiastes 2:24 – There is nothing better for man than to eat and drink and provide himself with good things by his labours. Even this, I realized, is from the hand of God. 

♔ A FAMILY AFFAIR - THE "BROTHERS" OF THE LORD ♔

. 

Soon after the birth of Our Lord, St. Joseph set out to register his family according to the census of Caesar Augustus.  Joseph would have the honour of pronouncing the names of his Blessed Spouse Mary as well as his own saintly name, but most importantly the Most Holy Name of Jesus. To Joseph no name would be sweeter than that of his most treasured gift, his only son. 

“BROTHERS” OF THE LORD

So who are these “brothers” of the Lord mentioned in the Gospel of St. Matthew and in the Acts of the Apostles? In Chapter 5 the issue of the celibacy of Our Lady and St. Joseph was discussed, so where do these “brothers” fit in?

 

While He was still speaking to the crowds, His mother and His brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with Him. - St. Matthew 12:46

 

All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers. - Acts 1:14

In the Roman Catholic Church, Mary is known as the “Blessed Virgin” and when referring to her as such, we are affirming our belief that she was a virgin before the birth of Christ as well as after – throughout the rest of her life. St. Joseph is also seen as virginal and is referred to as Mary’s “Most Chaste Spouse”. There are those who believe that our Holy Couple later had children whom Scripture refers to as the “brethren of the Lord.”  In the New Testament, the “brothers” and “sisters” of the Lord are mentioned in the following places: St. Matthew 12:46-50 & 13:55-56, St. Mark 3:31-34, St. Luke 8:19-21, St. John 2:12 & 7:3 and Acts of the Apostles1:14.

In the Bible the word “brother” (“adelphos” in Greek) has a wide range of meanings and does not only mean a literal brother, but casts it’s net over a wide range of meanings. The Old Testament shows us that the word “brother” or “kinsmen” could refer to any male relative who has not fathered you as well as cousins, other kinsmen, friends, allies etc... A few examples are listed below:

Genesis 14:14  Lot is referred to as Abraham's "brother" though in actuality he was Abraham's nephew.

Genesis 29:15  Jacob is called the "brother" of his uncle Laban.

1 Chronicles 23:22  Cis and Eleazar were the sons of Mahli. Kis had sons of his own, but Eleazar had only daughters. These daughters married their "brethren," the sons of Kish. These "brethren" were really their cousins, not their biological brothers.

Jeremiah 34:9  Jeremiah refers to not keeping fellow Jews as slaves. These slaves are referred to as "brothers".

  

ANNUNCIATION TO A PERPETUAL VIRGIN

At the Annunciation to Mary in the New Testament, when the Archangel Gabriel announced to her that she would conceive a son, she asked him in all humility:

 “How shall this happen since I do not know man?”

- St. Luke 1:34

Her question tells us that she had made a vow of virginity - even in marriage.  If she hadn’t made this vow, she would have taken the angel’s words to mean that she and Joseph would produce a son and wouldn’t have had to ask how this would come about, since it is customary to consummate the marriage and bare children. Though she and St. Joseph were a couple, she told the angel that she did not “know man” (not be having sexual intercourse with Joseph). There would be no reason for her to state that she was a virgin, since naturally she would have given her virginity to her husband to conceive this son, of whom the angel was speaking.

FAMILY PASSOVER

Another example that could support the only-child story is shown to us in the Gospel of St. Luke. In this Gospel, we are told about an event in the late childhood of Jesus:

And His parents were wont to go every year to Jerusalem at the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. And after they had fulfilled the days, when they were returning, the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem, and His parents did not know it. ... And it came to pass that after three days, that they found Him in the temple ... - St. Luke 2:41-47

In this account, Jesus is almost a man in the eyes of the law, for thirteen is the age at which a Jewish boy reaches manhood. Joseph and Mary had now been husband and wife for twelve years, and yet Jesus is their only child mentioned. Surely if they had not made a vow of chastity, they would have had other children besides Jesus by then. The “brothers and sisters” of Christ would have been mentioned by now, and when would be more appropriate to mention them, than at a family pilgrimage to Jerusalem? Their extended family is mentioned, but no reference is made to “brothers” or “sisters” here. The Bible would have stated that “the boy Jesus was not among his brothers and sisters, nor among his relatives,” however it does not.

... it occurred to them to look for him among their relatives and acquaintances. And not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem in search of him. ... they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions ...  And his mother said to him, “Son, why hast thou done so to us? Behold, in sorrow thy father and I have been seeking Thee...”

 And He went down with them to Nazareth, and was subject to them; and his mother kept all these things carefully in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and grace before God and men.

- St. Luke 2:44-51

ST. JOSEPH’S KIN
  

Surely the four “brothers” of Jesus spoken of in the Bible would have been mentioned at this family event in Jerusalem, but they were not. According to early Church tradition, Joseph had a cousin named Cleophas who was also wed to the a woman named Mary. This Mary was the mother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon who are all referred to as the brothers of Jesus.

 ... his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas... 
- St. John 19:25

Is this not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? - St. Mark 6:3

"BEHOLD THY MOTHER"

Another, more obvious example is given to us at the Crucifixion of Our Lord. It is evident that Mary had no other children because while her only Son was hanging on the cross, bruised and bleeding, he felt compelled to entrust her into the care of his beloved Apostle, John. St. Joseph died before Christ entered into public ministry, so it would be up to his children to take her in. Why would Jesus give his mother to St. John if he had brothers or sisters to take care of her? Why were his brothers and sisters not at the foot of the cross with their mother?

Are we to believe that these sons and daughters refused their mother in her hour of need? It doesn’t make sense. So, feeling responsible for His mother’s well-being, Christ gave her to his best friend to watch over. Even in the excruciating pain of his crucifixion, he cared enough to look after his mother till the very end.

When Jesus therefore, saw his mother and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold thy son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold thy mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. ... And bowing his head, he gave up his spirit.

- St. John 19:26-30

One might argue that this example is not enough to suggest that Jesus was an only child. To be crucified was the most shameful way to die, and perhaps this is why Jesus’ so-called brothers were not at the foot of the cross with their mother. We can take note that not even his apostles were present, except of course for John the Beloved. Where were his apostles and friends? They might have been ashamed to be associated with the crucifixion scene - as would his brothers. Still, if Jesus had brothers or sisters, He would not have needed to give his mother into the care of his friend, regardless of whether or not they were at the foot of the cross. Why would his brothers abandon not only him, but their mother as well? If we take the “brother” references literally, then out of four possible brothers, would not one of them support their mother? Would all four abandon her as well? Not likely.

“FIRST-BORN” ISSUE

There are some who claim that in order to be called Mary’s “first- born”, Jesus would have had a younger brother or sister. The claim is made that Christ could not be a “first-born” unless other children followed him:

... she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes...  - St. Luke 2:7

Using this as an argument shows lack of knowledge of the ways of the ancient Jewish people and how they used that term.  In Exodus 13:2 and Numbers 3:12 the child who opened the womb was the first-born and, under the Law of Moses, was to be sanctified:

“Consecrate to me every first-born that opens the womb...” - Exodus 13:2

Were the parents required to wait until a second son was born before being allowed to officially call their first son the “first-born”? Not so. The first son born of a marriage was always referred to as the “first-born”, regardless of whether or not he was an only child. Why is it so hard for us to believe that the Virgin Mary was in fact a virgin all her life? Why too is it hard to believe that St. Joseph was also chaste and virginal? God can do whatever He wants, so why is it so impossible for us to believe that He hand-crafted such pure souls as those of Joseph and Mary? Jesus Christ suffered, died and rose from the grave and after 40 days he ascended to heaven! Those are just two examples of God’s greatness and are just the tip of the ice-berg. Another hard-hitting example of God’s power: He created the universe – all which is seen and unseen! So why should this issue of virginity be so hard for many to believe? Not even the Holy Bible can contain all of God’s mysteries and what He has wrought. Why do so many people try to limit the works of God by being too proud to have faith in some of His mysterious works?

 

 "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." 

- St. Matthew 19:26