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St. Joseph:
A Model of Holiness for Husbands and Fathers
by Brian
I couldn't pass up the opportunity to write a short article for the feast day of St. Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Even though I am sure the majority of you have more experience and wisdom on how to reach the heights of sanctity as husbands and fathers than I would, I thought the life of St. Joseph could help all of us gain a deeper understanding of holiness within our vocation.
I have focused on four episodes from St. Joseph's life, taken from the Gospels of Sts. Matthew and Luke. These four episodes, I believe, will shed light on the spiritual characteristics Catholic husbands/fathers need to acquire, through the grace of God, in order to walk upon the path of holiness. This is not an exhaustive study, merely a simple guide to help us reflect upon the virtues of St. Joseph, head of the Holy Family.
Obedience
The first lesson St. Joseph can teach us husbands and fathers is obedience. In the Gospel of Matthew (1:21-24) the angel of the Lord comes to Joseph in a dream and tells him to take Mary into his home. The Gospel states that St. Joseph "obeyed" the angel.
To obey God is to respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. It means that we must be men of God, seeking and doing His Holy Will. We must listen to Him attentively and respond with a generous heart no matter what he asks of us, just like St. Joseph.
Trust
The second lesson St. Joseph teaches us is trust. St. Luke tells us that Mary gave birth to Jesus in a cave because there was no room at the Inn. I can picture St. Joseph going here and there trying to find lodging for Mary who was ready to deliver. Doing his best, but having door after door shut in his face he finds a cave where Mary can bring forth the Christ child.
Like St. Joseph we must trust God. This trust cannot be confined to when things are going well, but must be present when things are not going well. Trusting God is not an option for husbands and fathers, we must trust completely and never lose hope.
Sacrifice
The third lesson St. Joseph can teach us is sacrifice. The Gospel of St. Matthew (2:14-21) tells the story of how St. Joseph was ordered to take the child Jesus and Mary into the land of Egypt only to return to Nazareth after Herod's death. This episode of traveling, having to live in a foreign land, and relocating demonstrates St. Joseph's sacrificial nature.
St. Joseph was a man of sacrifice. He sacrificed everything to keep the child Jesus and Mary away from danger and harm. He did whatever it took to provide for them and guide them. His sacrifice was great and heroic. Like St. Joseph a husband and father must be a man of sacrifice.
Love
The fourth lesson St. Joseph can teach us about is love. The Gospel of St. Luke (2:41-48) explains how Mary and St. Joseph searched for the child Jesus. On the third day, they found Him in the temple speaking and listening to the teachers of the law. I can't even imagine what St. Joseph must have gone through as he looked for Jesus. I believe the only thing that kept him going was love. St. Joseph loved Jesus. His love for Jesus knew no bounds. He was a father who loved deeply.
St. Joseph understood that in order to be a child of God he had to embrace a life of charity. Charity for St. Joseph started in the home, with his family. He practiced it within the ordinary and daily events of his life. His charity was real; it was authentic.
A Just Man
St. Joseph is described in the Gospel of St. Matthew as a "just man." Though this phrase may not carry a lot of weight today, in the ancient world it was huge. To be a just man was to be a man who was in a right relationship with God. A "just man" was a man who prayed, who was chaste, honest, hard working and followed the commandments of God. This is why St. Joseph is the perfect role model for Catholic husbands and fathers.
If you want to be a holy husband/father the only suggestion I can make is to look to St. Joseph. He will guide and help you to be the husband and father God is calling you to be.
God bless!