The Church worships Mary of Nazareth as the Lord’s Mother (Luc 1, 43) and the Mother of God. In the Fourth Gospel the Mother of Jesus appears only at the beginning and at the end of the book and in both cases in the context of the „hour” of Jesus (John 2, 1–12; 19, 25–27). In the Evangelist’s comments she is referred to as the „Mother of Jesus” and her Son calls her a „Woman”. In the debate about the omission of the name of the God’s Mother in the Gospel of John most exegetes emphasize the symbolic meaning of the book and probably in connection with it the author’s intention to depict some persons as types in the narration. Besides Jesus’ Mother the names are not given to the woman of Samaria (4, 7), the royal official of Capernaum (4, 46), the man blind from birth (9, 1), and finally the disciple whom Jesus loved. Therefore the role of these people seems to be special. According to tradition John’s Gospel, being the product of well-developed Christology, was created in its final shape in Ephesus at the end of the 1st century. It was the time of various religious and philosophical trend clashes and the beginning of Christological errors. In these circumstances, Christian orthodoxy crystallized. The Fourth Gospel can be characterized as decidedly Christocentric. It seems that the author of the book was particularly careful not to overemphasize the importance of the Mother of Jesus, but to present her true role in the historical-salvific work of her Son by means of the indicated titles. Mary is Mother of Jesus, but she isn’t situated on the same level with his heavenly Father, therefore she is also defined as a “Woman”. For the disciples of Jesus she is Mother and new Eve. Both titles: „Mother of Jesus” and „Woman” express her specific position before Jesus and his disciples.
The article focuses on St. Joseph betrothed to the Virgin Mary. As a descendant of David he was chosen as the Bridegroom of the Virgin of Nazareth who later agreed to be the Mother of God Incarnate at the moment of the Annunciation. Thus, the fulfillment of Father’s eternal will also uniquely affected Joseph. Through his entrustment and obedience to God’s plan he became the builder of a house for the Lord and through receiving Mary under his roof he was the Guardian of the Mother of the Beautiful Love. As a faithful and just servant of God’s mysteries he serves as a model for spiritual growth. The spousal love of Mary and Joseph turns our attention to the first human couple, Adam and Eve. Thanks to Mary and Joseph, our “return” to the Garden of Eden is possible. Numerous episodes from Joseph’s life allow us to view him as a man of divine Providence and the protector of life, first of the Redeemer himself and then of all the redeemed. The vital role of Joseph of Nazareth in God’s plans and among God’s children in the holy Church is confirmed by the revelation, the liturgy of the Church and the example of life of the faithful. The light of the Old Testament announcements and promises, as well as the New Testament events that constitute their fulfilment, are brought into focus in the figure of the Guardian of our Redeemer. The Head of the Holy Family is the guarantor of the fulfillment of what the prophets foretold for centuries. The Spouse of Mother of God somehow renews the “role” of Adam from the Garden of Eden. As the Guardian and Teacher of the New Adam, the Christ, with his faithful attitude and consent to participate in the plans of God the Father, he already anticipates what would be fully lived by the Son of God, the meek and humble Redeemer of humanity.
PL
Artykuł podejmuje temat św. Józefa, zaślubionego Maryi Pannie. Jako pochodzący z rodu Dawida został on wybrany na Oblubieńca Dziewicy z Nazaretu, która potem w Zwiastowaniu zgodziła się na bycie Matką Boga Wcielonego. Realizacja odwiecznych planów Ojca w sposób wyjątkowy dotyczyła więc też Józefa. Przez swoje zawierzenie i postawę „posłuszeństwa” wobec woli Bożej stał się budowniczym domu dla Pana. Przyjmując Maryję pod swój dach, został opiekunem Matki Pięknej Miłości. Jako wierny i sprawiedliwy sługa Bożych tajemnic wyznaczył wzór duchowej drogi wzrostu. Oblubieńcza miłość Maryi i św. Józefa pozwala na wspomnienie pierwszej pary ludzkiej, Adama i Ewy. Dzięki nim nasz „powrót” do Ogrodu Eden jest możliwy. Wiele faktów z życia Józefa pozwala dostrzegać w nim męża Bożej Opatrzności i obrońcę życia, najpierw samego Odkupiciela, a potem wszystkich odkupionych. Źródła objawione, liturgia Kościoła i praktyka życia wierzących potwierdza znaczącą rolę Józefa z Nazaretu w planach Bożych i pośród dzieci Bożych w świętym Kościele. Jak w soczewce, w osobie Opiekuna Odkupiciela skupiają się promienie starotestamentalnych zapowiedzi i obietnic oraz nowotestamentalne wydarzenia, stanowiące ich wypełnienie. Głowa Świętej Rodziny jest gwarantem realizacji i wypełnieniem tego, co od wieków przepowiedzieli prorocy. Dziewiczy małżonek Matki Bożej w jakimś sensie odnawia „rolę” Adama z Ogrodu Eden. Jako opiekun i wychowawca nowego Adama, Chrystusa, swoją postawą pełną wiary i zgodą na uczestnictwo w planach Boga Ojca, już w sobie uprzedza to, co w pełni stanie się udziałem Syna Bożego, cichego i pokornego Odkupiciela ludzkości.
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