“If (after Jesus’ birth] Joseph had known Mary and lived with her as his wife, why would our Lord, on the Cross, have entrusted her to his disciple, commanding him to take her into his own home, as if she had no one else to take care of her?
Why then, you ask, are James and others called the “brothers” of Jesus Christ? They are called brothers of Jesus in the same way that Joseph is called Mary’s husband. God wanted to cover this great mystery with many veils, so that the divine birth might remain hidden for a time.”
John Chrysostom, Homily on Matthew 5,3 ; PG 57, 58.
If you are interested in more quotes on Virgin Mary, you can find them in Mary and the Fathers of the Church on Amazon in both in Kindle and paperback formats.
References:
Gambero, L., 1999. Mary and the Fathers of the Church 1st ed. Translated by Buffer, T., San Francisco: Ignatius Press. p. 177.
