On this feast of St Joseph, I have been contemplating his life. His is not really talked about in the bible outside of the Infant Narrative. I imagine that, in his great humility, he wouldn’t have had it any other way. Yet without St. Joseph who loved, sheltered, and protected both the Blessed Mother and the Christ-child, we might not have the Redeemer, the Bread of Heaven, the Blessed Sacrament.
Using the life of St Joseph as an inspiration, pray for husbands today and all week long. Take some time to contemplate St. Joseph’s character and virtues:
Obedient, protective, loving, humble, unselfish, consoling, long-suffering, hard-working, holy, consecrated to Christ, cooperative with the Holy Spirit, head of the Holy Family, servant of Christ, disciple, devoted, virtuous, faithful, poor, sympathetic, prayerful.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means "God is with us." When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. Matthew 1:19-24
Pass this on and challenge all the men that you know to imitate his virtues. Don’t forget to pray for all of them!
Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet
Encourage someone to lead a virtuous life. Pass it on.
