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Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – “Factores Verbi”, that is, he who “puts the Word of God into practice”, “translating it into deeds, flesh, life”. This expression, coined by the apostle James in his letter, well defines the figure and the entire existence of St. Joseph, the legal father of Jesus. This was underlined by Pope Francis during the general audience this Wednesday.
In his jubilee catechesis on the theme “Jesus, our hope”, Pope Francis reflected today on the figure of St. Joseph, highlighting his role in the history of salvation as a man who fully trusted in God. Drawing on the Gospel of Matthew, the Pontiff recalled the passage in which an angel appears to Joseph in a dream, revealing to him the mystery of Mary’s conception. “Joseph does not utter a word” in the face of this divine manifestation. “He trusts in God and obeys”.
He, who “enters the scene in the Gospel of Matthew as Mary’s betrothed”, when he “discovers Mary’s pregnancy, and his love is put to the test”. Faced with a similar situation, “which would have led to the termination of the betrothal, the Law suggested two possible solutions: either a legal act of a public nature, such as the convocation of the woman in court, or a private action such as giving the woman a letter of repudiation”.
But Joseph, whom the Gospel defines as “righteous”, “following the Word of God, Joseph acts thoughtfully: he does not let himself be overcome by instinctive feelings and fear of accepting Mary with him, but prefers to be guided by divine wisdom. He chooses to part with Mary quietly, privately. And this is Joseph’s wisdom, which enables him not to make mistakes and to make himself open and docile to the voice of the Lord”. And so he hears a voice that resonates in him through his dream, an element that “in this way, Joseph of Nazareth brings to mind another Joseph, son of Jacob, dubbed the “lord of dreams”, greatly beloved by his father and much loathed by his brothers, whom the Lord raised up by having him sit in the Pharaoh’s court.”
Faced with this revelation, “Joseph does not ask for further proof; he trusts. Joseph trusts in God, he accepts the God’s dream of his life and that of his betrothed. He thus enters into the grace of one who knows how to live the divine promise with faith, hope and love,” the Pope added, concluding: “Let us, too, ask the Lord for the grace to listen more than we speak, the grace to dream God’s dreams and to welcome responsibly the Christ who, from the moment of our baptism, lives and grows in our life.”
At the end of the General Audience, in his greeting in various languages, Pope Francis addressed a special thought to Chinese Catholics, recalling that “in East Asia and in various parts of the world, millions of families are celebrating the Lunar New Year today, an opportunity to live family and friendship relationships more intensely. With my best wishes for the New Year, may my blessing reach you all, while I invoke peace, serenity and health from the Lord for each one of you.” The Pontiff also asked for the intercession of St. Joseph “who loved Jesus with a paternal love,” so that “he may be close to so many children who have no family and long for a father and a mother.” “May the Lord bless you all and always protect you from all evil,” he added in his greeting to the Arabic-speaking pilgrims.
Finally, the Pope made an urgent appeal for an end to violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a situation that continues “with concern.” “I urge all parties to the conflict to commit themselves to the cessation of hostilities and to the protection of the civilian population of Goma and other areas affected by military operations. I am also following with concern what is happening in the capital, Kinshasa. We hope that all forms of violence against people and their property will cease as soon as possible. While I pray for the prompt restoration of peace and security, I appeal to the local authorities and the international community to do everything possible to resolve the conflict situation by peaceful means.” (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 29/1/2025)
