“When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.” Matthew 1: 24
You think you’ve got it rough at your house? I know your mom and sister may think they’re perfect, but think about St. Joseph: he lived with Mary and Jesus. His wife was sinless since the moment of her conception and his Son was the second Person of the Holy Trinity. Talk about a situation ripe for an inferiority complex to develop. But St. Joseph was given a special grace as well. He was chosen from all men for all eternity to be the protector of the Holy Family. He is an example of humility. He is an example of faith. So often he is overlooked, but yet he is the patron of the Universal Church. No matter what situation he faced he loved Mary and Jesus.
He stayed faithful to Mary when she was found with child before they were married. He protected the Baby Jesus from the swords of Herod by moving his family to a foreign country. He worked hard every day to put food on the table and to clothe his family. He taught his son to work hard and he loved his wife with gentleness. He didn’t seek the limelight. He wasn’t rich. He didn’t have lots of stuff. He was never even voted “Dad of the Year”.
What can we learn from him? God has a plan for each of us. Most of us won’t get into history books and be known by anyone but our family and close friends. Most of us won’t be famous or win any awards. And most of us won’t be remembered 100 years from now. But we have a part in God’s plan for the world nonetheless. And by doing our daily duty, staying faithful to the Gospel and loving Jesus and Mary, we will be fulfilling that plan. Let’s ask for the intercession of St. Joseph, that we may be blessed with his humility, faithfulness and love.
Dear Jesus, help me to love as St. Joseph loved—with humility, gentleness and purity. Through his intercession, may I always strive to meet the needs of my family and friends. Amen.
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