Tag: <span>Joseph</span>

March 19, 2021March 2, 2021

Mute and Manly

This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.

St. John Chrysostom’s last name–which is really more like a nickname–means “golden mouth” in Greek. He was legendary for his eloquence in proclaiming God’s word and thus bringing many to their salvation and sanctification.

Likewise, St. Thomas Aquinas is the “Angelic Doctor,” so named because his theological teaching was so beautiful and exalted that it appeared to be coming from the angels themselves.

We can enumerate saint after saint whose gift is to favor the world with grace-filled words about Jesus.

Today’s saint is one of the most exalted of all–Pope Pius IX declared him to be patron and protector of the entire Church.

And yet, in the Gospel, he is mute. Not a single word of his survives. Not one.

Why is he so revered? Today’s first and second readings give us a clue. In St. Joseph the promise of ages comes true: That the Messiah would be a descendant of David, and would cause the reign of David to last forever. Not because Jesus came biologically from Joseph, but because, like Abraham brought forth the People of God in faith, Joseph lent to Jesus his human lineage in faith and in obedience. Thus, albeit not in a biological way, St. Joseph played a pivotal role in passing on to Jesus His humanity.

While this role in salvation history is exalted, however, it is not what captivates us about Joseph. Rather, what enthralls us about this great saint is his silent role in the Gospel: A role of absolute trust in God in obedience, and a role as the archetype of a definitively masculine protector and provider. How does he do this, while remaining silent (at least in what is recorded about him)? It almost gives the impression of winning while playing with a handicap.

Those of us who are fathers look up to him–a man who took the most extraordinary challenges and trials in gloriously graceful, manly stride–we look up to him with great veneration. He is a paragon of what it means to be the strength of man, surrendered in humble service to the most remarkable of women.

Ideas for conversation with the Lord: Compare the loud, sometimes futile nature of your life, to the silent effectiveness of Joseph–not to get down on yourself, but in order to steep your heart in admiration for this man among men, a very close approximation of what God designed man as man to be. Whether you are man or woman, ask St. Joseph to intercede for you, so that you too may become a paragon of silent, obedient surrender and service. Invite St. Joseph to be patron of your own family, and to protect you as manfully and as effectively as he protected the Holy Family itself.

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December 27, 2020December 23, 2020

Power Unit

This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.

During this octave of Christmas, we are reminded that Jesus’ mission, from the moment He took on flesh, was not a one-man show. It was the mission of a family.

St. Joseph’s (earthly) portion of that mission ended before Jesus’ public ministry. His job was to bring Jesus successfully to manhood, and He fulfilled that mission fully.

Mary’s part in the mission continued as the perfect accompaniment and complement to Jesus’ own role. If Jesus was God who took on flesh to pay the infinite debt for our sins as only God could, Mary was the sinless creature who gave the definitive “yes” to God’s action, and indeed the gift of her whole life, to second, further, and augment the reach of Her Son’s infinite merit.

The first reading from Sirach illustrates the beauty that is the family unit, and the rewards for respecting and living its sacred character. The second reading from Colossians explains how holiness is lived out in a family.

Marriage, as we know, is a sacrament that is received throughout the life of the union, renewed in its sanctifying power over and over again through the fulfillment of the state of life that today’s readings describe.

If marriage is a sacred sacrament, a sacred state, then the Holy Family is the prototype of that sacred sacrament, the prototype of that state. It is a community wherein, in a sense, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. The family relationship becomes an entity unto itself, as a reflection of how the Holy Spirit–the embodiment of the love between the Father and the Son–is a true entity.

If we understood the exalted character of the sacred Christian family, we would fight harder to preserve and cultivate its relationships in all their pristine beauty–even while each constituent member is inevitably replete with imperfections and limitations.

Ideas for conversation with the Lord: Contemplate your family–each member, and the family unit as a whole. Consider it’s special character, that makes it so different from other families. Thank God for this unmerited gift that plays such a critical role in your life, and ask Him for His grace to protect, enhance, and perfect it for His glory.

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December 18, 2020December 14, 2020

Labor Pains

This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.

The whole world, as it were, gives birth to the Savior with labor pains.

We can think of the difficulties not found in today’s readings. Mary had to travel to Bethlehem when very close to her delivery date–in very uncomfortable circumstances. And as her labor was starting, there were zero accommodations available. Only a stable with animals.

And in today’s gospel, we see that the lead-up to the birth of the savior was no cakewalk for Joseph. The woman that he held high on a pedestal was suddenly found to be with child. His image of her was completely confused. And then, he had to trust that the message that came to him from the angel in a dream was true, and not wishful thinking on his part. Even though he was of a wise and discerning spirit, the feelings of insecurity during the course of this process must have been grueling.

And then, he was to dedicate his life as one of service to this woman and this child that wasn’t even his, starting with the arduous and at times seemingly hopeless task of making them comfortable for the child’s birth in Bethlehem.

Only a man of great faith trust that the plan of God ended much more gloriously than it began could sustain joy and hope in the midst of such circumstances.

As we approach Christmas today, perhaps we feel the burden of the day much as Joseph did. We feel the darkness and laboriousness of the sinful world around us, and of our own fallen nature. The human circumstances and sufferings of our life threaten to overwhelm us.

Like Joseph, the differentiator for us will be our level of faith and trust that the plan of God will end much more gloriously than it has begun.

Was He doing something amazing through Joseph? Yes. If we are faithful to Him through the simply, daily gift of our selves and our lives, is He doing something amazing through us? Yes. But like for Joseph, all that He is achieving through us will not be revealed until the prophecy of today’s psalm comes to its final fulfillment: “Justice will flourish in His time, and fullness of peace forever.”

Ideas for conversation with the Lord: Ask Jesus Christ to give you the same simple, humble faith and trust in the immensity of God’s plan in your life that Joseph displayed as He spent His life in service to the Holy Family. Ask Him to make today, this day, with all its ups and downs, into a great day for His plan in your life.

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