Joseph Most Just
Continuing to look at St. Joseph as a model for us, I want to focus on the virtue of justice. Joseph was a just man. Scripture tells us so in Matthew 1:19, “…and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly.” The law of Moses permitted divorce and, before the angel came to him in a dream, all appearances suggested an act of infidelity on Mary’s part. That wasn’t the case, as we know, but Joseph didn’t know until the angel told him, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people form their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21). What stands out to me in these two moments is Joseph’s obedience. In the first, Joseph is adhering to the law. In the second, Joseph is adhering to the message of the angel, i.e. obeying the Will of God.
Obedience is a part of justice. By it one shows due respect to someone (God, parents, etc.), or something (i.e. the law). This is a part of being a “rightly ordered” person. To be just means to order everything to the glory of God and the good of every creature. It is both retributive AND restorative. It demonstrates an adherence to the moral law as well as rendering what is due to individuals. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, in paragraph 1807, says, “Justice is the moral virtue that consists in the constant and firm will to give their due to God and neighbor.” Jospeh demonstrates this in his obedience to God and the respect and honor he shows towards Jesus and Mary. He guards, protects, provides for, and leads them for the duration of his life. He taught Jesus justice by living it out in his own life. Joseph is a model of justice.
It is often very difficult to be just. Sometimes we don’t want to return good to another, and other times we don’t want to be firm in resisting evil. Many times, we are content to accept favors done for us and “forget” to return the favor. Justice insists that we are to render good to the person in return. Perhaps more often, we are afraid to take a stand and resist evil. Examining that proposition more closely, I find that there is one possible reason that jumps out at me. There is more, but this is the one that my attention is drawn to. Also, sometimes there is simply an inability to do something (besides pray). Anyway, the reason that jumps out at me is fear. There could be several sources of fear, such as fear of injury, retribution, or of one’s public image changing (in a sense, peer-pressure). There are many potential sources of that fear. But what is opposing this fear? On the other side of the problem is righteousness, justice, and obedience to the Will of God. Ask yourself this question; is my fear of earthly consequences greater than my love for God? This is a hard question, but one that would say is essential to deeper spiritual growth. Take this question into a time of reflection and ask the Holy Spirit and Our Lady to reveal where we need to grow. Also, we’ll be following St. Joseph for a while, so strap in.
