Background People

Today, 19th March, is the feast day of Joseph, husband of Mary. What do you know about Joseph? What do I know?

Well, firstly we know that Joseph was open to angelic messengers, and acted on what they said. Not only did he not hesitate to take Mary as his wife, and to name the child Jesus, as the angel advised him to, he also left everything – possessions, family, friends – and fled with his wife and baby to Egypt, thus escaping Herod's massacre of all boys aged under two (Matthew 2.13-23).

Secondly, that he came of the lineage of King David – not only according to the long family trees quoted in two of the gospels (Matthew 1.1-16 and Luke 3.23-38), but also because the angel calls him 'Joseph, son of David' (Matthew 1.20).

Thirdly, Joseph either wasn't rich or he was against the corrupt practices of the Temple: when he took Jesus, his first-born son, to the Temple to be presented and Mary to be purified, he offered the sacrifice of two turtle-doves – the offering allowed for those who couldn't afford a lamb (Luke 2.24).

Fourthly, we know that Mary regarded Joseph as Jesus' father: When the young Jesus went walkabout in the Temple, and was only found after much searching, Mary said: 'Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.' (Luke 2.48) And others also regarded Joseph as Jesus' father: 'Is this not the son of Joseph' (Luke 4.22).

Fifthly, Joseph was the father of four other sons - James, Joses, Jude, and Simon - and probably three daughters (Mark 6.3; Matthew 13.55-56). Some suggest that these were children of a first marriage – but it seems unlikely to me that such a man as Joseph would abandon them and fly to Egypt, so I think they were younger, and the children of Joseph and Mary. The sons, and possibly the daughters as well, were with Mary during Jesus' ministry.

Sixthly, Joseph was a carpenter. We know that because it was asked of Jesus 'Is this not the carpenter's son?' (Matthew 13.55). Or was he? The Greek word used here is 'tekton' (τέκτων) which, as well as being the word for a craftsman, particularly in wood (not in stone or metal) was also the term used for those who were the Master of any art. It can also mean a very learned man such as a Pharisee (in Talmudic texts, literally a 'skilled handler of the Word of God'), a planner (in the sense of an Architect), a Maker, or a Creator. Interesting...

All of that's maybe not a great deal to go on – but it's enough, it's the important things. They tell us that Joseph was a man both of faith and of action, a skilled man who put his family first. He was very much the man in the background, both in the narratives of Jesus' birth, and his early life, but sadly we don't know what became of him.

Who are the people in the background of your life? The people we might take for granted, the ones who support us, cherish and protect us, enable us to do what we are called to do, without seeking any thanks, any lime-light for themselves?

And who are the people that we support, cherish, protect, and enable, without seeking gratitude? It's like a great chain of love, linking us together... but it's good to say thank you too, so THANK YOU to all my loving friends (you know who you are!): love you too.