The Icon
Brother Claude Lane, O.S.B., the iconographer who "wrote" this singularly expressive icon of Saint Joseph, is a monk of Mount Angel Abbey in Oregon. Brother Claude's image is, in its own way, a homily on today's Gospel.
On the Road
Saint Joseph is shown on the road with the Virgin Mary. There is tenderness and strength in his face. He is looking forward, facing the unknown with faith, looking ahead without seeing. As I wrote in one of my prayers to him, Saint Joseph is “a model of faith in the night, obedience in adversity, chastity in tenderness, and hope in uncertainty.”
A Young Joseph
Brother Claude portrays him as a young man. Most traditional icons depict an older Joseph, but Scripture says nothing about the age of Saint Joseph at the time of Jesus’ birth. We know that at the time of the Crucifixion (cf. Jn 19:27), the Virgin Mary was a widow. Saint Joseph is not mentioned in any Gospel accounts of Jesus’ public ministry; he is presumed to have died during the years of Jesus’ hidden life. During the first century, life expectancy was short. Joseph could have been an “old man” of twenty-one when he married his new bride of fourteen.
The Virgin Bride and the Child in Her Womb
The Blessed Virgin Mary is shown with child; she is wearing a lovely rose-coloured maternity dress. You recognize that Brother Claude has used the imagery of the Virgin of Guadalupe here, precisely because the miraculous image of Guadalupe depicts a pregnant Virgin. Saint Joseph is shown, putting fear aside to take his Virgin Bride into his home. In welcoming Mary, Saint Joseph welcomes the Infant Christ whose Sacred Heart already beats in Mary’s womb. In welcoming the Infant Christ, Saint Joseph welcomes each of us in our vulnerability, in our littleness, in our need for protection, and comfort, and warmth, and care.
The Angel
The angel is not named for us in the Gospel account, but tradition suggests that he is the Archangel Gabriel, the same heavenly messenger who brought the news to Mary at her Annunciation. Brother Claude shows the Angel gazing with admiration, with wonder, on both Mary and Joseph. The Angel sees in this couple the man and women chosen by God to protect and nurture the Word made flesh, the King of the Angels. The Angel’s finger points forward. “Let us go," he seems to be saying, "more deeply into the Mystery.”
The Donkey
The donkey bearing the Virgin Mary represents that other donkey who will bear Jesus into the holy city of Jerusalem amidst cries of jubilation and the waving of palm branches. The donkey is important to this icon: a sign of the unfolding of the Paschal Mystery of Christ the King.
Toward the Altar
In the beginnings of the mysteries of Christ, Saint Joseph is present humbly, tenderly, and decisively. The Angel’s hand, pointing forward, indicates that there is more to come. That “more to come” is given us in the Most Holy Eucharist. There, Saint Joseph is present to us and with us in the mystery of Christ. Pray to him. Go to Joseph, Guardian of the Living Bread come down from heaven.
Comments (5)
Happy Feast of St. Joseph, Father Mark, O.Cist.! What a magnificent icon!
Posted by elena maria vidal | March 19, 2007 8:49 AM
Posted on March 19, 2007 08:49
Brother Claude's icon is a magnificent painting, but in the East, it would not be considered an icon in the strict sense of the word---simply because (as Father Mark, O.Cist. points out) all icons of St. Joseph must use the image that has always been used and is readily recognizable to all Eastern Christians as St. Joseph. This 'version' of St. Joseph, while beautiful artistically is NOT the St. Joseph of iconography, who is, as in the Latin tradition, always portrayed the same and as much older, having short white hair, and a face that is common in ALL his icons. Although Holy Scripture has little to say about St. Joseph after the 'Meeting of the Lord in the Temple'---the tradition of the ancient Church has much to say and speaks most often in her iconography. In the East (as Father Mark, O.Cist. can explain much better than I) there is NO such thing as 'artistic license'---whatsoever and this is because the 'tradition of the Church' teaches hand and hand with His Word.
In the East the "Brothers of the Lord" (we were taught) were, the sons of St. Joseph by his first marriage (he is supposed to have been a widower). If these 'brothers' were in their 20's and 30's at the time they were called by the Lord (or perhaps even older?) then St. Joseph would have been in his fifties at that same time, at least and perhaps even older.
None of this takes anything away from Father Mark, O.Cist.'s awesome reflection/homily---for which we are all thankful to Almighty God. Why are there so few 'Father Mark, O.Cist.'s' in the Latin Church? He is simply THE best homilist I have ever heard (and I've been around a LONG time!). We miss you dear Father! Please come back to Connecticut as soon as it is possible...we are in a 'spiritual desert' needing sustenance and refreshment.
In His great mercy,
Fr. Gregory
Posted by Fr. Gregory | March 19, 2007 9:50 AM
Posted on March 19, 2007 09:50
Thank you for this post. I have a devotion to St. Joseph and often find refuge in him, but for all that, I still am trying to understand and draw closer so I can better see his intercession.
Posted by Julie | March 19, 2007 7:59 PM
Posted on March 19, 2007 19:59
For Julie and for all of us:
Oh St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interest and desires. Oh St. Joseph, do asssist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers. Oh St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me, and ask him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for me.
Posted by Fr. Gregory | March 20, 2007 12:59 AM
Posted on March 20, 2007 00:59
Well then, what a magnificent painting!
Posted by elena maria vidal | March 20, 2007 12:41 PM
Posted on March 20, 2007 12:41