His Word Today: Saint Joseph, the Worker

Saint Joseph with the infant Jesus
Guido Reni, c. 1635

Good morning everyone,

Today, the Church celebrates the Liturgical Memorial of Saint Joseph, the Worker.  Saint Joseph is portrayed in the gospel of Luke as the one who went to be enrolled ... Joseph went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child (Lk 2:3-5).

The gospels portray Joseph as a just man, one who cared for his little family.  Although we do not hear much about Jesus' hidden life, it would be safe to assume that Joseph and Mary taught him many of the key lessons that formed him into the man he was to become.  If Jesus was a peace-loving man, it was probable that Joseph had a large part to play in teaching him this attitude.  Perhaps it was Joseph who inspired him to discover this gift within himself, and to recognize that peace is a divinely-entrusted gift.  Jesus in turn would try to teach his disciples: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give it to you (Jn 14:27).

Today, let us ask Saint Joseph to be close to us, to teach us by his example how we too can be people of peace and justice, striving each day to speak for those who have no voice, to protect those who are defenceless and to provide for those who are in need.

Have a great day.