The Protagonism of St. Joseph
“Sales are discouraging. At home, the children await the magic of Christmas. Austerity will be the star guest one more year. What will I tell my family?” He did not walk, he wandered, lost in his thoughts, through the bustling avenues of the big city. Almost without realizing it, he entered a Church, maintaining the faith learned in school. To the left of the main nave, a young man surrounded by children caught his attention. He approached discreetly and managed to position himself at a distance that harmonized listening with non-interference.
“Mary’s pregnancy was progressing smoothly. The proximity of the big day had her excited and busy with the material preparation for the reception of her son. Joseph, who did not hide his excitement and joy, would use the art of his hands to transform the wood into a cozy crib and a piece of furniture – designed for mothers – to store clothes and utensils for the baby’s hygiene. He would certainly bring a rocking chair so that Mary could look after him comfortably. They – like every couple expecting a child – after dinner, under the warmth and flickering light of a candle, shared their wishes, plans, and dreams for their child and themselves. With the burning of the candle and with the hope of a solid family future, their day ended.”
“The repetition of days has its charm. They did not foresee any setbacks, rather they waited with serene enthusiasm for the great event. But an edict from the emperor upset their plans. Joseph, who was from the House of David, had to travel from Nazareth (Galilee) to Bethlehem (Judea) to fulfil the mandate of the census, without any preparation time. The distance between the two cities is almost 150 kilometers, which usually takes no less than four days. They gathered what they needed. They chose a donkey as their means of transport. Joseph immediately took charge of the situation. At night, he had to protect Mary and the Child from the freezing cold by feeding and stoking the fire; from the robbers who hampered the journey of the travelers. During the day, he made sure that the donkey traveled on flat paths so that they would not make Mary’s journey harder. The labor pains at times showed Joseph’s helplessness. He could not find a material and practical way to make his pain and discomfort more bearable! He took care of his rest, prepared the food and found shelter for him under the shade of a tree. Mary looked at him with tenderness and gratitude; and Joseph smiled at her with pleasure.”
“They arrived in Bethlehem. One door after another was closed to Joseph’s request: there was no room in the inns. His heart was wrung with grief. Thick tears wet his thick beard. The great reason for him to set up the stable with vigor and strength was his love for his family. Jesus’ tears were his crown. Mary’s motherhood, his happiness.”
The discovery of Joseph’s fatherhood gave him back the meaning of Christmas.
Doing the Same?
In order to get a group of people to stop being strangers to each other, specialists often resort to the formulation of questions that, due to their simplicity and freshness, facilitate responses that invite relaxation and dialogue. On one occasion, an expert posed the following question: what would they always carry with them? The interventions were spontaneous, rich and diverse. The diversity of responses is nothing but a natural reflection of the uniqueness of people. Of all the statements reported, I would like to comment specifically on a few. The cell phone is a basic tool for their social and work activities, which is why they always carry it with them. Another response had to do with always having a change of sports clothes on hand in the trunk of the car. Health, physical well-being and feeling good justified this practice. Finally, a personal participation indicated that “I always carry this ring wherever I go.”
Indeed, what one always carries with oneself are not things, nor what, in a certain way, adorns us, but rather the way of being and personality. What one is, one’s own identity, is based on principles, the guiding beliefs of one’s own life, criteria that govern conduct, actions and motives that animate interpersonal relationships. The congratulations and good wishes that are expressed with heartfelt sentiment for the new year that is beginning, encourage one to look at it with hope and excitement. But what is coming: the year and what it holds, impacts, is welcomed and processed by a person who, if he knows what he wants and seeks, will be able to make the most of all the new years.
Vision, principles and philosophy itself are like anchors: they keep ships firm and secure. Without anchors, a ship is carried by the current of air to a destination it has not even intended. Similarly, without a philosophy of life, man loses weight, roots; therefore, he is moved by circumstances, by his emotional ups and downs, by his whims, by what others think and say, etc. If one does not depend on oneself to shape and embrace one’s project, but on others, how empty it can be to hear “Happy New Year!” If one does not know where to go, it matters little which path one takes or which means of transportation one chooses! On the other hand, if one knows where the sun rises, one will know how to position oneself in such a way that one will be available to take advantage of its light and warmth.
I have saved for the end a comment included as a footnote. I would do the same, I would do the same as always. By analogy, it can be applied to the beginning of the new year. Usually, on the first day, there are no radical changes or revolutions in the scenarios. We face the same thing as the year that ends. What makes the new year attractive? The illusion and hope of doing better, the things we always do.
