Gospel in Art: Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Holy Family in the Carpenter Shop, by Gerrit van Honthorst 1640 © M&G at Bob Jones University, Greenville, South Carolina

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 20 March 2023
Luke 2:41-51a

Every year the parents of Jesus used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up for the feast as usual. When they were on their way home after the feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it. They assumed he was with the caravan, and it was only after a day's journey that they went to look for him among their relations and acquaintances. When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere.

Three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the doctors, listening to them, and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies. They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, 'My child, why have, you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.'

'Why were you looking for me?' he replied. 'Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father's affairs?' But they did not understand what he meant.

He then went down with them and came to Nazareth and lived under their authority.

Reflection on the painting

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Joseph placed himself at the service of God's plan of salvation. It is strange how Christian art has tended to portray Joseph as an old man, more like Jesus' grandfather than his father. Yet it is Joseph who would have taught Jesus to walk, holding him by the hand. Later on, he would have shown him how to cut wood and taught him the other skills of carpentry. It is therefore the portrayals of Saint Joseph as an active, vigorous, dynamic man that appeal more to me.

One such painting is this scene of the Holy Family in the carpenter's workshop. We see Saint Joseph actively at work, cutting wood and teaching Jesus, who is seen holding a candle. The young Jesus looks up lovingly at his father, while Saint Joseph concentrates on the work to be done. The canvas is illuminated by the single candle-lit lantern, very reminiscent of Caravaggio's style. In fact Honthorst closely studied the works of Caravaggio during his travels in Italy between 1612 and 1620. Here he depicts Mary, clothed in symbolic red garments, stretching out her hand to help the young Jesus hold the lantern high so that Joseph can see to carve. Honthorst's proficiency in the use of light is noted in his ability first to concentrate the most intense light on the arms of Christ and Joseph and then subtly diffuse the beam as it stretches away from the light source onto the wood, which is bathed in a much softer light.

Saint Joseph, pray for us.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-2-41-51a-2023/