St James Catholic Church

Happy Fathers Day!  It is certainly appropriate on this holiday weekend to talk about fatherhood.  And in light of Pope Francis declaring 2021 as the year of St. Joseph, what better person to have as a model to follow God’s plan than Joseph knowing of his great trust in God.

In all of scripture there is not one word that Joseph spoke.  He was a man of action.  God chose this man to be the spouse of Mary and the foster father of His son, Jesus.  Joseph embodies every aspect of a true father.  He is the provider of the family, he is defender of the family's well-being and he is faithful to God’s direction in his life.  In this time in history, when the family is constantly under attack, St. Joseph assists us in understanding the importance of the family roles and the contribution that they make in development of our character and well-being.  Jesus himself probably worked alongside Joseph many years doing carpentry work and learning a trade.  He recognized the value of labor and the contribution it makes to our entire society.  And our Lord also watched Joseph in the faithful practice of faith.  No greater gift can a father give his children than instilling in them a devotion to God. 

Perhaps the most frequent picture of Joseph is found in the nativity scene at Christmas, part of the holy family.  He takes Mary as his wife in spite of the strange and questionable circumstance of Jesus’ conception.  They find themselves in Bethlehem for a census where their child and the savior of the world is born in a stable.  They present their infant in the temple, giving him the name Jesus.  Soon after being warned in a dream of Herod’s murderous intentions, Joseph leads his family into exile in Egypt.  Returning to the town of Nazareth, Joseph disappears from the story, except when our Lord was lost in the temple and his parents are worried.  Because we hear little about Joseph, it is presumed he died.  And since Mary and Jesus were present, he is the patron of a happy death. 

As we honor our own fathers, grandfathers, godfathers, and male caretakers in our lives this weekend, let’s not forget another father who played such an important role in salvation history.  St. Joseph, pray for us.

Love, Peace, Joy,

Fr. Bob