Saint Joseph is often called to cure the sick. That may be because tradition states that he himself was sick for many years. In fact, we see in the mystic Maria Valtorta‘s writings how Mary calls Jesus, who was working at the shop, to come to help his father, who was “unwell”, showing that he was probably sick for some time. Saint Joseph might have had a work accident, which was not uncommon at the time.
Interestingly, Jesus starts his ministry as soon as his father passes away. Which leads us to believe he was just waiting for that to happen. And for that, he patiently waited thirty YEARS. Jesus could have said, “Dad, my mission is to save the entire human species, which is clearly more important than your sickness. Thus, sorry but I have to go!”. But he didn’t; he just waited.
Today we throw our old parents in nursing homes with the guise they will be taken care of better but we know if is that we think they are an impediment to our career. Another interesting consideration is that Jesus did not do the same with his also old mother: he left her alone during his long evangelizing trip. Both considerations illustrate the enormous love Jesus had for his father: in this case even bigger than with his mother!
Let’s consider this the next time we ask Joseph for something. For if he was even able to delay the saving of humankind, there is nothing he will ask from the Father that will not receive a resounding “Yes!”. Saint Joseph is the “politically incorrect” saint. He is the one who embodies what God had imagined for men and, in particular, for marriages.
In Maria Valtorta’s writing, we also see how Joseph and Mary when they arrive at Nazareth to start their married life, she says she can work to help with the home’s finances. We then see this dialogue:
“No, Mary.” It is Joseph who is speaking. “I will work. You will do nothing but weave and sew things for the house. I am young and strong and I am your husband. Please do not humiliate me with Your work”.“I shall do as you wish”.“Yes, in this case I do want it. In everything else Your wishes are the law. But not in regard to this”.
Two things strike from this conversation. The first is the fact that the ONLY thing Joseph asks from his wife (and he is adamant about it) is for her not to work. The second argument is that it would be a humiliation for him.
Modern thinking has given women the right to work to the point today it is inconceivable for a husband to ask his wife not to work. Of all the things he can ask, this is the total and utter red flag.
But Joseph is wise and could probably see into the future to today’s tragic marriages, where both compete instead of helping each other.
They accuse each other of not providing enough, of not being able to remain at a job, of not wanting to take the risk to look for a better job, and of not having the courage to ask for a raise.
And they end up being jealous of each other’s accomplishments instead of rejoicing for them. They turn every joyous news into a killjoy, always looking for something lacking in the news to turn it into some criticism.
Finally, the husband ends up humiliated when he finds out he is not making as much money. And a humiliated husband is a humiliated head of the family. A humiliated head is no head at all, so the family loses north and eventually dissolves. In this sense, this passage shows how Saint Joseph is the “politically incorrect” saint, for any husband today who asks for his wife not to work would be labeled an insufferable chauvinist.
Also, we see how Mary does not even ask him how he plans to pay for the obviously high expenses of newlywed life: she just accepts and trusts that he will provide. She trusts her father in heaven will ultimately give the means for the one He chose to work from the very beginning “you will earn your bread with the sweat of your brow”. For, what is the point of following a God if we don’t trust his help?
Some day we will understand how many marriages were lost for the insistence of the woman of working. Until we accept Joseph’s wisdom in this matter this pattern will continue in our society.
10 thoughts on “Proof of the Power of Saint Joseph, the Politically Incorrect Saint”
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In such case state on theological terms why it is wrong.
As for being “red flag”, people are not obliged to be christians if some of its values are unsavoury
Nothing here is from the Bible. The only quote is from some fantasy a nun made up for herself centuries later. These kids of lies are why the Catholic church is dying
Maria Valtorta was not a nun
It illustrates the extremes to which the author goes to justify male domination and female submission.
You don’t think that insistence that the wife not work outside the home is a red flag?
Actually, it shows the inability of those who are offended by christianity to discuss without retorting to ad hominem attacks
I’m not insulting you personally. I’m not being ad hominem. Just expressing disbelief. Most Catholic women today would consider it a red flag.
This book you mention was recommended by Padre Pio and Mother Teresa. So tell them what you just said
Egad. I did not expect writings from a condemned book to show up here! Jesus loved Joseph more than His Blessed Mother?? Give me a break! And it’s more than a little suspicious that Mary wanted to work to help with the family expenses. There are good points made in the article, but the author should be very careful of the sources he cites to support them.