Happy Saint Joseph's Day - What A Man!

Saint Joseph was a just man, a tireless worker, the upright guardian of those entrusted to his care. May he always guard, protect and enlighten families. Pope John Paul II

Saint Joseph was an ordinary sort of man on whom God relied to do great things. He did exactly what the Lord wanted him to do, in each and every event that went to make up his life. Saint Josemaria Escriva

Mary and Joseph Living the Divine Will

In the lives of both Mary and Joseph we see two ordinary people who with their whole hearts, minds and soul allowed God to work within them and transform them both to reflect the Divine. These two holy souls became so incorporated into the Divine Presence that when we study them we see the reflection of God in their lives, their words and their actions.

It is the holy lives of this couple, Joseph and Mary that show us that we too are called to give our fiats to God in order for the indwelling Spirit to transform us into living reflections of the Divine. Through Mary and Joseph we learn what it is to live the Divine Will without needing an explanation, as if God had to explain Himself to His creatures.

Joseph and Mary also through their actions teach us what true humility is and also to trust in God's Wisdom, even if it seems bizarre to do so. How many of us would follow a dream if we were told by an angel to rise and leave? Would we not consider it 'just a dream' and fall back to sleep?

Through the life of Joseph, Mary and the young baby Jesus we see how it should be for all of us. How family life should be centred around God and their Faith and not a longing to gain 'things', for what profit is there if one gains a mansion only to lose his/her family?

The example provided by the Holy family is to simplify our lives and to enjoy our families, and first and foremost to place God and our Faith at the centre of our family unit. The lives of Joseph and Mary should not be out of the ordinary in that we should all be trying to emulate them within our own lives.

For both Joseph and Mary lived the Divine Will, even if they at times did not fully comprehend the Way's of God, still they simply Trusted in God's Goodness, because God is Good.

Through the first Christmas that we see how God dignifies the lowly and allowed the humble to see the face of God. Do we see the face of God in today’s society?

Mary and Joseph A Perfect Union

Mary and Joseph had a unique quality that meant they were made for each other. Both loved God and placed Him at the centre of their lives. This meant that their daily lives revolved around God and not their whims. They never questioned God's Good order but with simplicity of trust and confidence they obeyed it.

Mary accepted God's Will and with her Fiat she then co-operated with God in the Salvation of all men. Mary through the Mystery of Mysteries, became the Mother of God. For the Incarnation was not a creation of a new life, but the enclosure in human flesh of the Life that gives Life to all.

Joseph also had his own questions and upon receiving his answers he too from a filial love and devotion to Almighty God accepted his place at Mary's side. To be a good husband and a true father to, their son Jesus.

It is this aspect of complete 'oneness' that both Mary and Joseph shared that makes them unique and sublime; they took God at His Word with full knowledge that God would fulfill it in His time. But God also acknowledged Joseph's role in the upbringing of Jesus. It was Joseph who was the head of their household, but this did not negate Mary's role. It simply ennobled the family unit as God created it to be, with the man as head of the home and the wife as his helpmate and support.

This does not denigrate either couple, but simply compliments the exquisite differences that made this Holy Union so blessed. Their love did not revolve around themselves but was centred in doing the Will of the Father.

Through this Holy couple we can see how much God esteems the family unit. It is also through Mary and Joseph we glimpse how all marriages should reflect that displayed by this most devout union. For a couple that is totally committed to God are also totally committed to each other.

The union of Joseph and Mary is not only God's gift to them it is also God's Gift to each of us. We look to their example of placing God as the foundation of their union and from that springs eternal happiness.

Is God at the centre and core of your family?

Joseph & Mary A Holy Union

The Scriptures don't reveal much about Joseph, but the little that is shown in Scripture is very telling. What Scripture does reveal is that Joseph was a good and kind man and also obedient to God. We see this when Joseph discovered that Mary was with child and though he was deeply troubled still he sought to protect Mary by quietly divorcing her. Joseph knew that if he revealed that Mary was pregnant and the child was not his, then the Law would have required her to be punished. Joseph a man of deep faith and deep compassion would have recoiled in horror at such a thought.

Ofcourse we know an Angel appeared to Joseph and revealed the Truth. What is remarkable about Joseph is his deep sense of obedience and trust in God. Unlike Zechariah, Joseph did not question the Angels authenticity but simply obeyed the Angels Command realising that it came from God Himself.

Joseph truly is a shining example of a simple man who trusted God. What Scripture reveals is that God had also entrusted Joseph to this Mission in full knowledge of Joseph's deep and abiding faith. Joseph was a devout man who was obedient to the Strictures of the Law and each year the family would go to Jerusalem for the Passover.

Both Joseph and Mary would have led an ordinary life even though they were an extraordinary family. He was a capable carpenter and one can imagine Joseph making furnishings and other household necessities in order to provide for his family.

It was a hard life in that Joseph would have had to contend with the blistering heat of the day, dust, insects and a multitude of discomforts. Joseph simply accepted all as from the Hand of God and kept his own counsel as he worked and prayed to the God he loved.

Both Mary and Joseph would have raised Jesus within their chaste and Holy marriage as a normal family. This was shown when Jesus went missing and filled with great anxiety both Joseph and Mary went in search of their beloved son. They found Jesus had been teaching in the Temple but it was Mary who questioned her son and not Joseph who once again maintained his own counsel.

These years before Jesus Ministry began were blessed one's for both parents. Much like any other family they would have shared stories around the dinner table. Perhaps some teasing in a gentle humorous manner and maintained a deep prayer life. Perhaps Joseph also shared his carpentry skills with Jesus teaching him the different facets of working with wood and also the different Seasons of the land. They were indeed a happy and holy family, taking joy in each others company, living simplistic lives and at the core of their family unit was a deep and abiding love for God and their Faith.

Joseph was not merely a representation of a father figure; he was in the true sense a most noble father to his son Jesus. Protective of him, teaching his young son the Faith and instructing Jesus on life issues, the vagaries of nature and some gentle humour. This great man also loved Mary, his wife with a deep devotion and a chaste love which bonded them together.

So it must have brought true grief to both Mary and Jesus when this most holy of men died. Scripture does not reveal when or where this took place but it must have been before Jesus began His Ministry as Joseph is not mentioned.

St. Joseph is the most perfect example of a man who lived his life simply with great obedience to God and as Head of his Home. Joseph lived his faith in total trust of God's Goodness not just to himself but to his family.

God trusted this simple man to take care of and protect both His Son and Mary Most Holy. Joseph fulfilled his Mission.

Joseph is indeed God's own man.

As God placed such trust in Joseph this humble carpenter, who are we to question it?