Comments for Joseph, Model Father at http://www.thecatholicthing.org , comment 1 to 2 out of 2 comments http://www.thecatholicthing.org Wed, 22 May 2013 19:37:53 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/joseph-model-father.html#comment-15100 It is a reflection of the times that youth (and probably most of us) are amazed by Joseph refusing to subject Mary to shame, by his ability to live with a woman as his wife and not have sex with her and how and in what sense could Joseph be considered Jesus’ “father”. In those days, God was a very real presence, both feared and revered. One lived by the Commandments and Joseph was a deeply God-fearing man. Hence “not shaming Mary” would be a most charitable thing to do, and so Joseph would do it. Indeed in modern life there are many who are equally charitable, but we just don’t hear of them, which in itself is another good on their part. Secondly, in my opinion, in those days, sex was not as important a thing for people as it has been made out to be in our minds today. And possibly the reason is the form of dress that was prevalent in those times as against what it is today. The clothing for both men and women was a flowing gown like attire which effectively concealed the body and its curves and let people view merely the faces of each other. Thus, the base urges were not being constantly stirred up and filling the mind with thoughts of sex (and any deprivation thereof). But that is not so in today’s world… a world which is one where lack of “fashion” invites ridicule and societal pressure to conform. Hence Joseph could live with a woman as his wife and not have sex with her. Besides, when one conforms to the will of God, even the impossible happens as par for the course. Thirdly, even in today’s world, we adopt children and the law considers an adopted father and mother as the true father and mother of the adoptee in every sense of the word. And that is why I say that it is a sign of the times for questions like these to arise in the minds of youth and even our own minds. Times when any good thing is, at first blush, thought of as impossible or difficult to do. Times when parents don’t guide and persuade and convince their children and Christians don't help each other to stand up against the tide. - Alfred Sun, 30 Dec 2012 02:05:20 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/joseph-model-father.html#comment-15078 Dear Professor Smith, Oh, I dunno, maybe the 40% or so of my English genetic coding is kicking in here, but I'd invite St. John the Baptist for tea, though I'd be afraid to offer him anything but a good, honest, workman or soldier's "cuppa." No rose hips. No dandelion leaves. No nonsense about the bouquet. May St. John and St. Joseph bless us in our work as fathers. Happy Christmas! - Mack Hall Thu, 27 Dec 2012 10:53:15 +0100