With the Christmas season fresh in my mind, I find myself reflective in the new year. This year I want to make a resolution that is both challenging and workable. One of the greatest, and most rewarding challenges in my life has been becoming a father. It was the first time I found profound reason to start casting away my own desires and putting the needs of my children first. Being as transient as I was, this was a difficult transition to make. Years ago I wouldn’t have even considered the possibility of being a stable parent. Thanks to God, I was able to change within and become the father I am today.
My new year’s resolution is to live more as St. Joseph did. There isn’t much said about St. Joseph in the Gospel, except the story of the commission and birth of Jesus. What is said between the lines is incredible though. Consider what must have been going through his mind in those first days. Here he was, betrothed to Mary, only to find out she was pregnant. This was incredibly scandalous in their time and could easily result in her death by law. Joseph didn’t yet know that this child was the Son of God. He could have had Mary dragged into the streets and stoned to death. It says in the Gospel he instead was concerned for her safety and planned on getting a discreet divorce so she would be saved and keep her dignity. This already shows Joseph’s kindness and respect for Mary and God. His world and love had been deeply hurt and yet he shows compassion for Mary. When Gabriel visits Joseph he is told that Mary did not dishonor him, and is in fact carrying the true Son of God. Think about that for a minute. First Joseph thinks he has lost his wife and now he is told that he will be an earthly father to God’s Son. Can we even imagine how difficult this would be to accept? Joseph’s faith was strong and he accepted the word of God and followed His will to the letter. What questions must have been going through his mind. “How do I raise the Son of God?” “Will he see me as his father?” “Can I teach anything to him?” “Why me?”
We often overlook the powerful message of Joseph as it is lost in the rest of the Gospel. A simple man of faith is given a commission from God of the utmost importance and challenge. Joseph is faithful and obedient to God. He first thought of Mary’s well-being, and then accepted this powerful commission with true faith. I pray for the strength and wisdom to have faith like St. Joseph this coming year. I pray that I may be openly willing to accept the will of God, even if I don’t understand it or where it may lead. I pray that I may have compassion for my children as Joseph did towards Mary. I pray that I may trust God to give me the wisdom and patience to teach His children while they are in my care.
Saint Joseph, guardian of Jesus and chaste husband of Mary, you passed your life in loving fulfillment of duty. You supported the holy family of Nazareth with the work of your hands. Kindly protect those who trustingly come to you. You know their aspirations, their hardships, their hopes. They look to you because they know you will understand and protect them. You too knew trial, labor and weariness. But amid the worries of material life, your soul was full of deep peace and sang out in true joy through intimacy with God’s Son entrusted to you and with Mary, his tender Mother. Assure those you protect that they do not labor alone. Teach them to find Jesus near them and to watch over Him faithfully as you have done. Amen.
Pope John XXIII
