St Joseph As Dreamer and Disciple: the Gospels View by Arthur E
St Joseph as Dreamer and Disciple: The Gospels View By Arthur E. Zannoni Pre Note: On December 8, 2020, Pope Francis proclaimed in an Apostolic Letter entitled “Patris corde” (“With a Father’s Heart”) a “Year of Saint Joseph” from December 8, 2020, to December 8, 2021. Also, the Church celebrates the Solemnity (feast) of St. Joseph liturgically on March 19. Thus, the following reflection is offered on Joseph's biblical roots, the spouse of Mary, the mother of Jesus. What the Gospels Reveal About St. Joseph The only source we have for St. Joseph is the gospels. He is mentioned sixteen times in three of the four gospels. Matthew mentions him eight times, Luke seven times, and John once. This singular reference to Joseph in John's gospel (6:41-42) only refers to Joseph as the father of Jesus. The Portrayal of Joseph in the Gospel of Matthew In Matthew's gospel's infancy narrative, the first time Joseph is mentioned is in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:1-17), and he is called the husband of Mary (1:16). The second time Joseph is referred to as betrothed to Mary. They are engaged, “but before they lived together, she [Mary] was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit” (1:18). Mary and Joseph are between two stages of ancient Jewish marriage. The first is the formal consent in the home of the father of the bride. The second, made later, is the transfer of the bride to the house of the groom. In the Jewish legal view, Mary and Joseph's betrothal was considered a legally contracted marriage, completed before they cohabitated.
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