Today is an important feast—a solemnity—for a very important
man: St. Joseph. He is a model for
all of us in many ways.
Joseph
was a man of humility. He was a
simple carpenter who worked hard to support his wife Mary and adopted son
Jesus. While he had a crucial role
in the Holy Family, not one word of his is recorded in Scripture—a sign of his
silent and humble presence.
He
was also a man of deep faith.
Imagine Joseph’s reaction when he heard that Mary had conceived and it
wasn’t his child! According to the
Law, Mary was to be killed for this, yet Joseph decided to divorce her quietly,
trusting in her holiness. And when
the angel did come to him to announce the Immaculate Conception, Joseph
believed and followed the angel’s command without question.
Joseph
was also the link between Jesus and the promises made through the Old Testament—that
the Messiah would be born in David’s line. The Jewish people recorded genealogies through the male
side, and Joseph’s marriage to Mary helped fulfill this prophecy about Jesus.
St.
Joseph is the patron saint of workers, carpenters, fathers and those seeking a
happy death. Greatest of all, he
is the patron saint of the universal
Church. To celebrate, we take
a break from our Lenten season to rejoice in this great saint.
As he provided for and protected
the Holy Family he continues to provide and protect our family of Christians
today.
St.
Joseph, pray for us!
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