Today, it seems, there is an unhealthy interest in proving, if possible, that everything we (Christians) have thought since year 1, is wrong. These clever people have FINALLY figured out something that was hidden from all of Christianity for 2000 years and now have the right answer. On the other hand, there are always those people who are bored and restless, always seeking new exciting alternate viewpoints. To those people these articles are greatly appreciated.
However, as the article does explain, the word tekton does not rule out a simple carpenter as we understand it today. I have heard explanations as various as St. Joseph was a stone mason working on the Temple in Jerusalem (quite a commute!) to the idea that he was on a road crew building and maintaining the roads!
My belief is that he was a simple carpenter, building objects from wood, as has long been depicted. There were no big box furniture stores, so locals would be sure to resort to Joseph (and Son) for their household needs. I believe he had a home shop in Nazareth, and therefore stayed close to Jesus and Mary. I also believe he only accepted donations for his work, and that whatever money he did receive, over and above basic necessities, he gave to the poor, also causing the poor in Nazareth to resort to this Holy House. I don’t believe the Holy Family lived a comfortable “middle class” existence, but instead lived in great poverty, all the while working industriously. I can’t prove any of this through linguistic gymnastics as the modern clever intellectuals like to do, so feel free to disagree!
