St Joseph

It is not surprising that Joseph is the patron saint of, families, fathers, expectant mothers, travelers, immigrants, and working people. 

Because for each case there is the urgency of purpose; a fatherly commitment to selfless care and concern, to thoughtful and diligent guiding and to relentless protecting through uncertain times.

  We often turn to Joseph, not only because he was husband to Mary and father to Jesus, but because he was the most trustworthy spouse and most caring father.

We know that we can lean on him when we need to.

Joseph, in a beautiful straight forward way, was right and just, true and good. Scripture says Joseph was a righteous man, and he lived out this righteousness as husband and father in difficult but ordinary circumstances.

 He was a working man, who surely taught his son the craft. We know Joseph wasn't rich because when he took Jesus to the Temple he offered the sacrifice of two turtledoves which was allowed only for those who could not afford a lamb. But, he was not ashamed or humbled because he was a honest hard worker and above all else he loved his family more the wealth or prestige.

 It is only in passing that we hear of Joseph’s royal linage and It is a measure of the man that he wasn’t puffed up and prideful because of it.  

  We know Joseph was more than a reasonable man, he was a compassionate, caring man. When he discovered Mary was pregnant after they had been betrothed, he knew the child was not his. He knew that women accused of adultery could be stoned to death. He knew he could quietly legally end the betrothal, though it would bring unlivable shame to Mary and her family.

 We know in a trouble sleep an angel came to Joseph and told him,

"Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” The next day Joseph did not do the expected and reasonable thing to do. Prompted by the Spirit and his love of Mary, he did the unexpected, the righteous thing. He took Mary into his home.

 Of course Joseph was present at the birth of Jesus, the incarnation of God with us. And I am sure he adored his new born son, before the shepherds and wise men came to do the same.

 We know that when his family was in danger, he immediately left everything he owned, all his family, friends, and business and immigrated to a new country with his young wife and the baby. As a refugee, Joseph did what he had to do for his family to survive has they waited in in forging land until it was safe to go back.

 We know Joseph loved Jesus. And as a worried parent Joseph and Mary searched for three days for the child Jesus when he stayed behind in Jerusalem, in the Temple. I always imagine it was as a loving but concerned parent that he scolded the Jesus soundly.

 Joseph leaves our sight as Jesus starts his public ministry. Joseph must have passed away for surly Joseph would of continued to encourage and counsel his son.

It is impossible to imagine that Jesus did not carry the memory of Joseph deep in his heart. How many prayers did he say for him? How often did Jesus think, what would my dad do?

 We profess Jesus is the Son of God, for his is, but as any adopted child will tell you, it is the one who cares for you and cherishes you, who puts food on the table and clothes on your back that you love and call father or mother. Being the Son of God did mean Jesus loved Joseph any less as a father, perhaps in a different way, even more.

 So today we celebrate the feast of St Joseph a venerable tradition that goes back to the middle ages. At that time there was an exceptionally severe drought in Sicily. No rain fell for an extended period of time, no crops would grow, and countless people died of famine.

Everyone affected prayed to God for rain, and they also prayed to St. Joseph to intercede with God on their behalf. They promised that if God caused it to rain, they would have a special feast honoring God and St. Joseph.

Of course, the rains did come and the crops were planted. The harvest was good and the people rejoiced and prepared a feast from their bounty. An important part of the feast of St Joseph is St Joseph’s table.

We celebrate St Joseph’s feast here at OLR with prayers, devotions and, of course, St Joseph’s table.

St. Joseph! We beg you, by all your sufferings, sorrows and joys, obtain for us what we need.

St. Joseph, pray for us.