A chaste heart recognizes a chaste heart. An unclean heart finds itself drawn to those who are unclean. Persons of either category take comfort in keeping like company.
Because St. Joseph’s purity of body, mind, heart, and soul was surpassed only by the Immaculate One, he had a particularly intimate knowledge of and appreciation for her that no one else could have shared. An appreciation, understanding, reverence for, and delight in her Immaculate Heart! Dear Joseph was not given all knowledge about all things, but he did know without the shadow of a doubt that the beautiful and innocent maiden to whom he was recently espoused was the purest creature that ever was or ever would be. He blessed God for the inexpressible honor of caring for her whose virginity and purity were more splendid than the sun, the moon, and the stars. And yet. . . all these virtues in her were so very hidden.
There was nothing about Mary to draw the slightest attention to the immensity of God’s grace at work in her soul. Did others know the extent of her purity? Certainly they did not; they could not. No one thought of her as any more than a lovely and modest, young wife. Indeed, to Joseph alone was given the singular privilege to guard and protect this virgin all excelling. To him alone was given the opportunity to contemplate this mystical rose, who reflected the very goodness of the Living God.
And now! To Joseph’s great astonishment, the virgin had conceived! How could this be? Surely this just man knew the prophesies well enough to recognize the sign as the work of Almighty God. But almost before he could consider so great a mystery, sorrow struck his heart. The gentle Joseph knew exactly what would be assumed by all. As soon as Mary was seen by the neighbors and at the synagogue, everyone would conclude that she was clearly no longer a virgin-that she had conceived by her husband. The soul of her noble guardian was grievously afflicted at the thought of such an error.
And yet, there was nothing more natural — a newly espoused couple expecting a baby. The women in the market place would carefully do the math and nod approvingly at each other that all had been done well. Their friends and neighbors would offer both Mary and Joseph their congratulations. Poor St. Joseph did not want any congratulating. He didn’t want any such idea in people’s heads regarding the virgin most pure. What a torture to his chaste, sensitive, protective heart!
Could he expose her to such gossip? As the guardian of this blessed virgin and the defender of her virtue and honor, he was convinced he must not. What was there to do? Only one course of action presented itself to dear St. Joseph and that was to shield his sweet spouse from the public eye; to conceal or keep her privately apart somehow, so as not to be seen. Of course this was not a long term solution, but it would have to do for a temporary arrangement while he waited. He was confident that his prayers for guidance were being heard. He trusted the Lord God would surely lead him along the paths of righteousness and let him know “what next”.
He also knew that his wise and prudent wife would understand his difficulty immediately. She would appreciate that he wanted to protect her from the looks, the judgments, and the well meaning but offensive comments of others. Still, it pained him that he could not discuss his trouble with his sweet spouse as he would in other matters.
His heart was heavy. Sleep seemed impossible as his mind and soul were fixed in prayer. However, it was in response to that very prayer the Almighty Father in heaven was pleased to put St. Joseph to sleep and to send an angel to him with a message.
“Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take thy wife, Mary, to thy side. The Blessed God knows what will be thought and said of her. This Child is truly His own Son, but He wants you to be seen as His father, for now. And you must be a father to Him in every regard. You will call His name Jesus for He shall save His people from their sins.”
Joseph awoke. The burden upon his heart was completely lifted. The Lord, the Ruler of Israel, He that sittest upon the cherubim, had answered his cry. The Lord God made it unmistakably clear that He would always, with great mercy and care, lead Joseph like a sheep. The most chaste heart of St. Joseph exalted with gratitude, peace, and joy.
Anton Raphael Mengs: The Dream of St. Joseph. Public Domain. Source.
