Today, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of St. Joseph, the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
O BLESSED ST.JOSEPH! OUR GREAT PATRIARCH
The glorious St. Joseph was linearly descended from the greatest king of the tribe of Juda, and from the most illustrious of the ancient patriarchs but his true glory consisted in his humility and virtue. The history of his life has not been written by men; but the principal actions are recorded by the Holy Spirit himself. God entrusted him with the education of his divine Son, manifested in the flesh. He was espoused to the Virgin Mary.
ST. JOSEPH -GUARDIAN OF JESUS AND MARY
In the next place we may admire in secret contemplation, with what devotion, respect and tenderness, he beheld and adorned the first of all men the new born Saviour of the world, and with what fidelity he acquitted himself of his double charge, the education of Jesus, and guardianship of his blessed mother- He was truly a faithful and prudent servant
ST. JOSEPH-HUSBAND OF MARY
Joseph underwent many struggles as the husband of Mary . His happiness at the prospect of taking Mary into his home as his wife was shattered when he discovered that Mary was pregnant. He was not the father. He must have spent many sleepless nights wrestling with the best way to deal with what he thought could be Mary’s infidelity. We can image how he must have felt: betrayed, devasted, uncertain of his future and broken-hearted. He was a man of justice and prudence, a man who knew the law and who wanted to live according to God’s Law.
ST. JOSEPH A MAN OF FAITH
Joseph was a man deep faith in the living legacy of the Hebrew scriptures and traditions. His faith helped him accept the God who broke into our human story time and time again, to bring freedom and grace, dignity and hope, a new beginning and a new creation. He believed in a living God, who speaks to us in loving ways, even as God gives us the strength to endure many hardships.God spoke to Joseph and said to take Mary into his home. He heard and he obeyed. He did the right thing, for he was a righteous man.
ST. JOSEPH: EDUCATOR AND FOSTER FATHER OF JESUS
Joseph was not only Mary’s loving husband, but he was also Jesus’ loving parent. Along with Mary, Joseph taught Jesus well. Under their care, Jesus grew “steadily in wisdom and age and grace before God and men.” (Luke 2:51)
Jesus, Mary and Joseph did not live during the best of times. They lived in an occupied country that was ruled by a cruel Roman empire and by a puppet Jewish governor, Herod.
ST. JOSEPH: PROTECTOR OF THE HOLY FAMILY
Furthermore, their religious leaders were divided and fighting each other. At any given time, these authorities could disrupt the lives of the people of Israel. Joseph, head of the family, saw his role as keeping Mary and Jesus safe and secure in the midst of the chaos and confusion that was part of everyday life.
ST. JOSEPH: A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF GOOD PARENTING
We, the Church, honor and celebrate the life of St. Joseph this day because he is such a good example for us in the world we live in today. More than ever, we live in a world that lacks a moral compass, where good and evil are not recognized as social conditions, and leaders are no longer respectful and committed to the common good.
We should be ungrateful to this great saint, if we did not remember that he protected Jesus from Herod’s jealousy and envy manifested in the slaughter of the Innocents. The Church fathers attribute the visit to Egypt as a spiritual benediction poured on that country which made for many saints she has.
We also celebrate St. Joseph’s fidelity to the traditions of his ancestors. We celebrate his openness to God’s voice in his life. We celebrate his love for his wife, Mary. We celebrate his parenting of his son, Jesus. We celebrate his sense of justice and his integrity.
HAIL HOLY JOSEPH HAIL
St. Joseph, husband of Mary and father of Jesus, pray for us!Amen.
Fr. Joseph OSJ .
