March 19 is celebrated as the Feast of St. Joseph. A few years ago, Pope Francis wrote a beautiful letter about Joseph the adopted father of Jesus. You can find that letter here. It speaks to the various ways Joseph offers us an example to live our Christian lives. I encourage you to read this letter.
This morning as I was reflecting on Jesus’ dad, I soon found myself reflecting on my own dad. His life I have marveled; his thoughts I have reflected on, and his faith I have envied. He had essentially condensed the Gospel to one thing: learn to live your life for others. His most loving acts were done in silence. He was very strong at making his arguments, and he was equally passionate about listening to other people’s points of view. He prayed that people would arrive at the right conclusion. And when he had done everything he could to persuade someone, and failed, he simply went silent and prayed for God’s will to be done. The presence of God – which was never restricted to Holy spaces for him – was the most valued thing in his life. For him it was the recognition of God’s presence that led to gratitude and selfless serving of others. So, when I read “Patris Corde” I think of my own father, and the father God may have called me to be to God’s children – the same father that God called Joseph to be to God’s own son Jesus.
The scripture tells us nothing about what Joseph said. My dad once said to me, people will never remember the great things you think you have to say to them, they will remember the things you do. What makes Joseph a great role model is not what he said, but what he did; and what he did was not anything for his own elevation or benefit, but for raising a child who was strongly aware of the need to serve others – to the point of dying for someone else’s sin.
My friends as we are living into the “deal” – the covenant – God is making with us, how are we laying the foundations of our family on the values of Joseph the father of Jesus? Do we have a process to always stop and think how my actions will elevate and benefit others more than me? Are we giving our all to raising this new family? Do we want things to be done according to our wishes and convenience, or, what brings the greatest number of people together to be one intentional community gathered around the commission Jesus has given us? I would love to hear your responses and reflections in the comment section.