Main news for 27 March 2022

Each evangelist describes the Nativity with his own emphases. Matthew pays special attention to Joseph. It would seem that in this case Joseph's role is more that of an observer than of an active participant. But this is only at first glance. The point is not only that he had to accept what was happening as part of his own life. The point is that he was to become, on earth, in fact the adoptive father of the Messiah. He did not and could not become His father by blood. But every child, even one born as the Messiah was born, needs a father. Not only the heavenly Father, but an earthly father. If not a natural one, then an adoptive one. For the Messiah had to grow up as Man. It is not easy for a boy without a father to grow up as Man with a capital letter, even when we understand that capital letter in human terms.

If the Messiah had to grow up as less Man than any other, perhaps He would not have needed an earthly father at all. But He had to grow up as more Man than any of us. Therefore an earthly father was absolutely necessary for Him. Only one was needed who could in no way and by nothing harm Him, who could not even accidentally bring into His human nature anything incompatible with the divine fullness that the Messiah bears in Himself from the very moment of His conception.

There is little hope here in flesh and blood, not because they are nature, but because in humanity's present condition they are fallen nature. And this cannot be corrected until the full transformation of the human person. The spiritual life of a person is another matter: here, even in the fallen condition, much can be achieved. The human soul is more easily corrected than the body. And if it does not become ideal, one can at least achieve that its sinfulness does not poison the life of one's neighbor.

This, of course, is not simple; direct help from God and effort by the person are needed, but the result is possible here. Therefore the adoptive father remained the only possible option in the case of the Messiah, whose human nature had to remain free from sin. And Joseph's consent to this path was required. By taking his wife, he gives God this consent. And he becomes the earthly father of the Messiah. Adoptive, but no less real for that.