MARCH REFLECTIONS

St. Joseph and Fatherhood

March is the month of St. Joseph. Our country needs his intercession now more than ever. The recent California State Supreme Court decision to allow same-sex “marriage” and the ensuing fight against the validity of Proposition 8 are but the latest fruit from the rotten tree at the center of society’s uncultivated garden. Who could have imagined, even a decade ago, that a constitutional amendment would be needed to define marriage as between one man and one woman protecting the most basic institution of society since Adam and Eve? Nevertheless, many states are even now changing marriage license forms to indicate “Party A” and “Party B” instead of “Husband” and “Wife.” Fatherhood is threatened!

In 1979, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger remarked: “The crisis of fatherhood which we are living through today constitutes the heart of the human crisis that is threatening us”; fatherhood is increasingly seen as a “biological accident” or a “tyranny to be rejected” (Ratzinger, 22).

Joseph C. Atkinson recalls that, at its root, the Greek word krisis means “to separate”; he poses a provocative question: “Can it be that the real crisis of fatherhood arises from our separating fatherhood from its true roots and its authentic interior structure, as we have sought to reshape it according to the numerous ideologies afloat in the early part of the twentieth century?” He answers in the affirmative: “Indeed, our cultural understanding of fatherhood is shaped more by these extraneous ideologies than by divine revelation, even for many within the Church” (Atkinson, 3).

Thankfully, over the last forty years, much progress has been made in “domesticating” modern man. One of the strongest forces for his improvement has, ironically, been the feminist movement! Underlying much of the male-bashing spouted by the radical members of this multi-faceted group is a sincere attempt to deal with two undeniable facts about men: they find it hard to commit and harder to communicate. Sociologists have amassed reams of data suggesting the reasons for these apparent lacunae in men. There is evidence of biological and psycho-social factors that lead men to be more promiscuous and less communicative than women. But the crisis of fatherhood cannot be solved by addressing only the natural weaknesses of men. A supernatural solution must be found.

The Bible reveals that God’s nature is that of Father. In Genesis, God’s creative energy is breathed into Adam who, in cooperation with Eve, perpetuates the human race. The saga continues with God choosing and testing Abram whom he blesses with a new name (“Abraham” which means “Father of Nations”), innumerable descendants, and land. One of those descendants is Jesus Christ who is called: “Son of David”; “Son of God”; and “Son of Man.” These titles often eclipse his earthly lineage – son of Joseph. The only place in the Gospel where Jesus is referred to as the son of Joseph is in the context of questioning his credibility: “Is this not the carpenter’s son?” (Mt.13:55 and John 6:42).

Joseph, whose name in Hebrew is related to the word for “to increase” or “to grow,” is the role model for fatherly authority (“nurture” in Latin). The role of the father is not just to give life but to see that his children develop to their full potential. This job requires commitment. Joseph shows his commitment to Mary when he takes her into his home even after discovering her mysterious pregnancy. Although he is a silent figure in Sacred Scripture, Joseph communicates his love for Jesus and Mary by leading them out of harm’s way into Egypt and then by guiding them back to Nazareth and working hard to support them. Fr. Thomas Rosica, C.S.B. speculates on two words that Joseph almost certainly spoke:

“Joseph protected and provided for Jesus and Mary. He named Jesus, taught him how to pray, how to work, how to be a man. While no words or texts are attributed to him, we can be sure that Joseph pronounced two of the most important words that could ever be spoken when he named his son ‘Jesus’ and called him ‘Emmanuel.’ When the child stayed behind in the Temple we are told Joseph (along with Mary) searched with great anxiety for three days for him” (Luke 2:48) (Rosica, 1). These two words help solve the crisis of fatherhood. First, “Jesus” means “Yahweh Saves”; God is a protector who sends his Son to show his commitment to his earthly children. Second, “Emmanuel” means “God With Us,” a sure communication of God’s desire to remain involved in our lives. Joseph models God the Father’s Love.

According to a recent survey conducted by the National Center for Fathering, “[F]athers have increased their involvement in their children’s lives over the past decade.” The survey, conducted in May, 2008 compares fathers’ involvement in their children’s education with a similar survey conducted in 1999. “I’m very encouraged to see that fathers were more involved in every area examined by our survey,” said Carey Casey, CEO of the Kansas City-based National Center for Fathering and fathers.com. “The most important aspect of the increase in father involvement is that dads are showing that ‘education is important’ with their presence in the school” (Spokes).

Through the intercession of St. Joseph, let us renew our commitment to and communication with our families.

Works Cited:

Atkinson, Joseph. “Paternity in Crisis: Biblical and Philosophical Roots of Fatherhood.” Josephinum Journal of Theology. New Series. Vol. 9. No. 1 (Winter/Spring 2002): 3-21.

Ratzinger, Joseph. The God of Jesus Christ: Meditations on God in the Trinity. Chicago: Franciscan Herald, 1979.

Rosica, Thomas. “Biblical Reflection for the Feast of Holy Family.” Zenit.org. 25 December, 2008.

Spokes, Peter. “Fathers Getting More Involved in their Children’s Lives.” Fathers.com Weekly. 6 June, 2008. <http://www.fathers.com>.

Wood, Steve. “What Makes Fatherhood So Important?” Saint Joseph’s Covenant Keepers. June, 2008. <http://www.dads.org>.