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July 21, 2021PANEL 3: SAINT JOSEPH IN HEAVENLY GLORY
If we were numbering these panels chronologically, this would be the last one, because this one shows St. Joseph where he is now, enjoying eternal life in heaven, and praying for us who are still in the struggle of earthly life. So, we see St. Joseph, smiling, walking around in the glory of heaven, comfortable in his silk tunic and cloak, and casually holding the symbols that allow us to know who he is: his right angle, showing him to be the carpenter, and his stalk of lilies, a symbol of his purity and chastity, which were especially required because of the special kind of marriage he would agree to, in order to fulfill God's will for him. Joseph is traditionally shown holding a staff blooming with lilies. This is from a legend that his walking stick miraculously bloomed with lilies to show the Blessed Virgin Mary that he was the man (among competing offers) whom she should choose to be her husband.
Joseph is referred to in the Gospel of Matthew as a just man. All Christians are to seek to be just and righteous in our lives, but we can only be truly just through the justice Christ won for us through his cross and resurrection. The seven lilies are Easter lilies, still blooming in an abundance of life and beauty. They are a symbol of Jesus Christ in his resurrection, and Joseph holds them also as a sign of eternal life through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.The just will flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a Lebenon cedar. Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God, still bearing fruit when they are old, still full of sap, still green, to proclaim that the Lord is just, in him, my Rock, there is no wrong.
- from Psalm 92
Grail Psalter translation
Joseph is often portrayed holding the baby Jesus, to show that he is Jesus' foster father who cared for him. I chose not to portray him this way, because this scene would be after Jesus had grown up and died for us; Jesus is now at the right hand of the Father. Instead, we look now at St. Joseph, and he looks at us with affection, praying for us and encouraging us to work through the battle of earthly life.
Below the wooden border, St. Joseph's patronal titles are given, to engage the viewer in asking him for his friendship and prayer. One of these is "Patron Saint of a happy death" (that is, one that is peaceful, prepared for, and leading to eternal salvation). I had considered portraying the traditional scene of Joseph dying, with Jesus and Mary comforting him. With so many patronal titles, I thought I should simply list the titles instead (there may be still other titles). I hope you find it a source of comfort and motivation to pray.
