Recent I received two books for review that really fit together hand and glove.
One book I read last year was The Sign of the Times by the late Fr. Gilsdorf. I so loved that book and it was one of my favorites of the year. The success of the release of that book got the publisher to also release Go to Joseph
Fr. Gilsdorf as an excellent scripture scholar nudges out what can be known about St. Joseph. He does not include any of the apocryphal legends that were written later and has a critical view of what was referenced there. Those sources present Joseph as a older widower and Church art has mainly shown Joseph as an older man. This was done mainly to protect the virginity of Mary, but it seems to me to be almost a sort of slander to St. Joseph and a diminishment of his sanctity. Fr. Gilsdorf expects he was probably a man of 18 or 19 when betrothed to Mary which would fit with the cultural evidence of the time.
Throughout this book he goes through the reflections available apart from scripture where they apply. Devotion to St. Joseph is a relatively new thing in the Church that developed over time and really didn’t pick up any steam till the 1500’s. The book provides a handy time line in regard to this. It is hard to imagine that there were not churches dedicated to St. Joseph in the first millennium of the Church and the mention of St. Joseph by the Church Fathers is very limited.
This book also doubles as a source of apologetics concerning St. Joseph and the Perpetual Virginity of Mary.
What Fr. Gilsdorf has done is to give is a short to-the-point life of St. Joseph that tried to avoid speculation and stick to what we can know. So it is as easy but highly worthwhile read. The last part of the book contains prayers to St. Joseph and other appendices. Julie at Happy Catholic was also quite impressed.
The next book up is the The Mystery of Joseph
by the late Fr. Marie-Dominque Philippe, OP who died in 2006 and was the founder of the Community of St. John. Whenever I receive a book by Zacheus Press I know I am in for something special. This book was no exception and I can even say one of the finest books I have ever read. Fr. Philippe truly takes an awe-inspiring look at St. Joseph and plums the depth of mystery to give us a theological view of St. Joseph. I was truly stunned as a read this book and really seeing St. Joseph for the first time as a real person. I had wondered why many in the Church had called St. Joseph the greatest saint after Mary, something I wonder no more about. Sure I understood that Joseph was a just man and that while he had authority over the Holy Family no doubt he was also formed in perfection by Mary and Jesus.
Fr Philippe makes the same assumptions that Fr. Gilsdorf did in regards to Joseph and also leads us through the scriptures in the life of this saint. Both authors write about Mary’s vow of consecration to God that makes so much sense in scripture in regards to the Annunciation and her reply. Fr. Philippe calls this the first secret that St. Joseph carried in his heart. The following chapters on the dreams that Joseph received and his thoughts concerning Mary are pure gold with just so much to reflect and contemplate on.
The radical holiness of St. Joseph becomes so apparent that you wonder how you ever could have missed it. Like all saints his holiness starts in obedience and is illuminated by love. So often it seems the chaste relationship of Joseph and Mary is presented as something not fully a marriage. Something second rate when the opposite is true. This books shows the deepness of their love for each other and the sacrifice of St Joseph when he sees that Mary has her own path in relation to God that is wholly hers to pursue without his permission. We all have our own paths towards Christ and we make a major mistake when we have a problem when spouses are not lock-step in the exact spiritual journey. We can learn a lot from St. Joseph in this regard from his humility and love of his wife and God.
I am sure I do an injustice in describing this book. It is so theologically rich that I can only point to how good it is and not give the description that I would desire. The first half of the book following the scripture of itself is reason to read this book. The essays that come after add an equally rich dessert, especially the last essay on St. Joseph St. Mary, and St. John.
These two books just dove-tail so nicely together. One gives us a scripture scholar/apologetic/Church history view of St. Joseph and the other attempts and succeeds into diving into the mystery of St. Joseph. These two men’s view of St. Joseph also fit in perfectly together.
11 comments
To Mr. Jeff Miller
You still don’t understand and I understand that because Christ was said
But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep (John 10:26).
===GOD AND HIS TRUE PROPHETS FORBIDDEN NOT TO CARVED IDOLS, NOT TO BOW DOWN AND NOT TO WORSHIPPED THEM====
You shall not carve idols in the shape of anything in the sky above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath the earth(Exodo 20:4) (Ibid).
You shall not bow down before them or worship them (Exodo 20:5) (Ibid).
Do not make anything to rank with me; neither gods of silver nor gods of gold (Exodo 20:23)(Ibid).
You shall not molest or oppress an alien (Exodo 22:20)(Ibid).
You shall not bow down in worship before their gods, nor shall you make anything like them (Exodo 23:24) (Ibid).
This people has indeed committed a grave sin in making a god of gold for themselves (Exodo 32:31) (Ibid).
You shall not make for yourselves molten gods (Exodo 34:17).
Do not turn aside to idols, nor make molten gods for yourselves (Levitico 19:4) (Ibid).
Do not make false gods, You shall not erect an idol or a sacred pillar,nor shall you set up a stone figure for worship in your land (Levitico 26:1) (Ibid).
Overthrow your incense stands, and cast your corpses on those of your idols (Levitico 26:30) (Ibid).
Destroy all their stone figures and molten images (Numbers 33:52) (Ibid).
Not to degrade yourselves by fashioning an idol to represent any figure, whether it be the form of a man or a woman (Deuteronomio 4:16).
You fashion for yourselves against his command an idol in any form whatsoever (Deuteronomio 4:23)(Ibid).
Should you then degrade yourselves by fashioning an idol in any form and by this evil done in his sight provoke the LORD (Deuteronomio 4:25)(Ibid).
You shall not have other gods besides me (Deuteronomio 5:7).
You shall not follow other gods, such as those of the surrounding nations (Deuteronomio 6:14).
The images of their gods you shall destroy by fire (Deuteronomio 7:25) (Ibid).
Every command that I enjoin on you, you shall be careful to observe (Deuteronomio 13:1) (Ibid).
Cursed be the man who makes a carved or molten idol–an abomination to the LORD (Deuteronomio 27:15) (Ibid).
They followed the other gods of the various nations around them, and by their worship of these gods provoked the LORD (Judges 2:14) (Ibid).
For a sin like divination is rebellion, and presumption is the crime of idolatry (I Samuel 15:23) (Ibid).
They worshiped their idols and were ensnared by them (Psalm 106:36) (Ibid).
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands (Psalms 115:4).
They have mouths but do not speak, eyes but do not see (Psalms 115:5).
They have ears but do not hear, noses but do not smell (Psalms 115:6).
They have hands but do not feel, feet but do not walk, and no sound rises from their throats (Psalms 115:7).
Their makers shall be like them, all who trust in them (Psalms 115:8).
Then they hire a goldsmith to make it into a god before which they fall down in worship (Isaias 46:6) (Ibid).
They lift it to their shoulders to carry; when they set it in place again, it stays, and does not move from the spot. Although they cry out to it, it cannot answer; it delivers no one from distress (Isaias 46:7).
Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field are they, they cannot speak; They must be carried about, for they cannot walk. Fear them not, they can do no harm, neither is it in their power to do good (Jeremiah 10:5).
One and all they are dumb and senseless, these idols they teach about are wooden (Jeremiah 10:8).
Of what avail is the carved image, that its maker should carve it? Or the molten image and lying oracle, that its very maker should trust in it, and make dumb idols? (Habakuk 2:18).
Children, be on your guard against idols (I John 5:21).
===JESUS CHRIST AND HIS TRUE DISCIPLES FORBIDDEN NOT TO CARVED IDOLS, NOT TO BOW DOWN AND NOT TO WORSHIPED THEM====
Men, why are you doing this? We are of the same nature as you, human beings. We proclaim to you good news that you should turn from these idols to the living God, ‘who made heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them (Acts 14:15).
We ought not to think that the divinity is like an image fashioned from gold, silver, or stone by human art and imagination (Acts 17:29) (Ibid).
We sent them our decision that they abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage (Acts 21:25) (Ibid).
While claiming to be wise, they became fools. and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for the likeness of an image of mortal man or of birds or of four-legged animals or of snakes (Romans 1:22-23).
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and revered and worshiped the creature rather than the creator (Romans 1:25) (Ibid).
Now the works of the flesh are obvious idolatry, I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21) (Ibid).
Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers will inherit the kingdom of God (I Corinthians 6:9-10) (Ibid).
What agreement has the temple of God with idols? (2 Corinthians 6:16) (Ibid).
For the time that has passed is sufficient for doing what the Gentiles like to do: living in debauchery, evil desires, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and wanton idolatry (I Peter 4:3).
Anyone who worships the beast or its image, or accepts its mark on forehead or hand (Sign of the Cruz), will also drink the wine of God’s fury, poured full strength into the cup of his wrath, and will be tormented in burning sulfur before the holy angels and before the Lamb (Revelation 14:9-10).
But as for cowards, the unfaithful, the depraved, murderers, the unchaste, sorcerers, idol-worshipers, and deceivers of every sort, their lot is in the burning pool of fire and sulfur, which is the second death (Revelation 21:8).
NOW!!!
Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what is the will of the Lord (Efeso 5:17).
Pray deeply that you will get out from the cursed of devil who blind you not to understand the truth and will lead you to the lake of fire.
The God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Israel and also our God who is the creator of the heaven and earth will give you chance,
And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32).
NOTED:
Make an exclusive blog title “WHO IS THE REAL AND TRUE FATHER IN SPIRIT”
because you called the Catholic Church authority FATHER – it means the Father of the spirit (as written and teached to the elementary, secondary and college: the fundamentals beliefs of the Catholic Church)
AND
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him (Ephesian 1:17).
Nice to see the mention of Fr. Marie-Dominque Philippe, OP. We have the sisters of the Community of St. John here in New Jersey. They serve the Catholic community at Montclair College in New Jersey.
These nuns are beautiful – full of faith.
Have a blessed Christmas season!
“we declare that we defend free from any innovations all the written and unwritten ecclesiastical traditions that have been entrusted to us. One of these is the production of representational art; this is quite in harmony with the history of the spread of the gospel, as it provides confirmation that the becoming man of the Word of God was real and not just imaginary, and as it brings us a similar benefit. For, things that mutually illustrate one another undoubtedly possess one another’s message. … we decree with full precision and care that, like the figure of the honoured and life-giving cross, the revered and holy images, whether painted or made of mosaic or of other suitable material, are to be exposed in the holy churches of God, on sacred instruments and vestments, on walls and panels, in houses and by public ways; these are the images of our Lord, God and saviour, Jesus Christ, and of our Lady without blemish, the holy God-bearer, and of the revered angels and of any of the saintly holy men. The more frequently they are seen in representational art, the more are those who see them drawn to remember and long for those who serve as models, and to pay these images the tribute of salutation and respectful veneration. Certainly this is not the full adoration in accordance with our faith, which is properly paid only to the divine nature, but it resembles that given to the figure of the honoured and life-giving cross, and also to the holy books of the gospels and to other sacred cult object.”
Second Council of Nicaea 787
“These injunctions were given to the Jews on account of their proneness to idolatry. Now we, on the contrary, are no longer in leading strings. Speaking theologically, it is given to us to avoid superstitious error, to be with God in the knowledge of the truth, to worship God alone, to enjoy the fulness of His knowledge. We have passed the stage of infancy, and reached the perfection of manhood. We receive our habit of mind from God, and know what may be imaged and what may not. The Scripture says, “You have not seen the likeness of Him.” (Ex. 33.20) What wisdom in the law-giver. How depict the invisible? How picture the inconceivable? How give expression to the limitless, the immeasurable, the invisible? How give a form to immensity? How paint immortality? How localise mystery? It is clear that when you contemplate God, who is a pure spirit, becoming man for your sake, you will be able to clothe Him with the human form. When the Invisible One becomes visible to flesh, you may then draw a likeness of His [9] form. When He who is a pure spirit, without form or limit, immeasurable in the boundlessness of His own nature, existing as God, takes upon Himself the form of a servant in substance and in stature, and a body of flesh, then you may draw His likeness, and show it to anyone willing to contemplate it. Depict His ineffable condescension, His virginal birth, His baptism in the Jordan, His transfiguration on Thabor, His all-powerful sufferings, His death and miracles, the proofs of His Godhead, the deeds which He worked in the flesh through divine power, His saving Cross, His Sepulchre, and resurrection, and ascent into heaven.”
APOLOGIA OF ST JOHN DAMASCENE AGAINST
THOSE WHO DECRY HOLY IMAGES
No man has the truth which was passed down through Holy Spirit in accordance with the promise of Jesus Christ (True God and true man/God and Redeemer) to His disciples at the Pentecost and in unbroken human succession. The Truth is taught by Holy Mother the Church.
Any fool can read Scriptures (and copy and paste in bulk) and complain and criticize. And most foools do.
Maybe the above poster who calls himself ‘truth’ would like to explain the cherubim the Lord told Moses to put on the Ark of the Covenant, or the cherubim and animals carved in Solomon’s temple, or the bronze serpent God told Moses to make in the desert. I won’t quote the verses, I’m sure he knows them.
Jeff
Isn’t it more probably that Joseph was old relative to Mary since he died so early and since he was deliberately marrying a consecrated virgin which would be a “nearer” occasion of sin to a younger man than to an older man??? In the face of both of those considerations, the majority practice of a culture would not seem to be relevant.
My devotion to St. Joseph has grown over the years the more I’ve read and thought about him. Just contemplating his Litany brings such wonderful inspiration as to who he is, his incredible qualities: light of the patriarchs… head of the Holy Family… most faithful… terror of demons… protector of Holy Church. Sometimes (this is silly), but sometimes I am so struck by him, I can only say “Wow!” 🙂
*** *** ***
Some excerpts:
HE was the true and worthy Spouse of Mary, supplying in a visible manner the place of Mary’s Invisible Spouse, the Holy Ghost. He was a virgin, and his virginity was the faithful mirror of the virginity of Mary. He was the Cherub, placed to guard the new terrestrial Paradise from the intrusion of every foe.
….
HIS was the title of father of the Son of God, because he was the Spouse of Mary, ever Virgin. He was our Lord’s father, because Jesus ever yielded to him the obedience of a son. He was our Lord’s father, because to him were entrusted, and by him were faithfully fulfilled, the duties of a father, in protecting Him, giving Him a home, sustaining and rearing Him, and providing Him with a trade.
….
HE is Holy Joseph, because according to the opinion of a great number of doctors, he, as well as St. John Baptist, was sanctified even before he was born. He is Holy Joseph, because his office, of being spouse and protector of Mary, specially demanded sanctity. He is Holy Joseph, because no other Saint but he lived in such and so long intimacy and familiarity with the source of all holiness, Jesus, God incarnate, and Mary, the holiest of creatures.
+ From the Triduo to St. Joseph by the Venerable John Henry Newman.
*** *** ***
But when one searches for the reasons why Christian art should have pictured Joseph as aged, we discover it was in order better to safeguard the virginity of Mary. Somehow, the assumption had crept in that senility was a better protector of virginity than adolescence. Art thus unconsciously made Joseph a spouse chaste and pure by age rather than by virtue. But this is like assuming that the best way to show that a man would never steal is to picture him without hands; it also forgets that old men can have unlawful desires, as well as young men. It was the old men in the garden who tempted Susanna. But more than that, to make Joseph out as old portrays for us a man who had little vital energy left, rather than one who, having it, kept it in chains for God’s sake and for His holy purposes. To make Joseph appear pure only because his flesh has aged is like glorifying a mountain stream that has dried. The Church will not ordain a man to his priesthood who has not his vital powers. She wants men who have something to tame, rather than those who are tame because they have no energy to be wild. It should be no different with God.
….
Mary and Joseph needed no consummation in the flesh, for, in the beautiful language of Leo XIII: “The consummation of their love was in Jesus.”
….
Leaning over the manger crib of the Infant Jesus, then, are not age and youth, but youth and youth, the consecration of beauty in a maid and the surrender of strong comeliness in a man. If the Ancient of Days turned back eternity and became young again – if the condition of entering Heaven is to be reborn and to become young again, then, to all young married couples: here is your model, your prototype, your Divine Imaginal. From these two spouses, who loved as no couple on earth has ever loved, learn that it takes not two to love, but three: you and you and Jesus.
+ From Chapter 7 of “The World’s First Love” by Archbishop Fulton Sheen.
*** *** ***
O Joseph, virgin-father of Jesus, most pure spouse of the Virgin Mary, pray every day for us to the same Jesus, the Son of God, that we, being defended by the power of His grace and striving dutifully in life, may be crowned by Him at the hour of death.
Indulgence of 100 days, twice a day. Pius X, Nov. 26, 1906.
amsjj
So according to Sheen, God wanted someone more tempted to lust to be with Mary. Why? Because priests are to be young later on in history? That is not Archbishop Sheen at his most brilliant.
The artists also pictured Joseph as old because he died early and while young otherwise. It is more probable that God picked a man who was not young and amorous since the household was not meant to be a test of Joseph. Sheen does not address the early death. It’s not convincing on Sheen’s part when he leaves out a prime reason and then doesn’t deal with it…unless you left out his dealing with it.
I was granted permission by the publisher of ‘Go to Joseph’ to reprint the book’s first chapter:
http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/abbott/091023
“We all have our own paths towards Christ and we make a major mistake when we have a problem when spouses are not lock-step in the exact spiritual journey.”
Thank you for this.
If Truth would explain how his cut-and-paste job is relevant to this post, it would greatly enhance my understanding of what he is talking about. As it stands, my instinct is telling me that he has a picture in his mind of what the Catholic Church is and what it teaches that does not conform to reality. However, I don’t want to respond to him based on my assumptions.