St. Joseph: The Pillar of Faith and Protector of Families

Introduction – St Joseph a very silent character in the Bible (NT) has been named the patron of the Universal Church. He is known as the guardian of the Christian religion as he was the guardian of Jesus Christ and the protector and defender of the Church, which is truly the Lord’s house and the kingdom of God on earth. In the gospels he is mentioned by only two of the evangelists. We are familiar with those incidents in the gospels in which St Joseph plays a vital part. We find him in the narrative of Nativity, the flight into Egypt, the presentation of the Child Jesus in the temple, and the finding of the Boy Jesus in the temple after a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. It is true that we know very little about him. St. Joseph never speaks. Yet the obscurity of his life hides a great and holy mystery, with his immeasurable faith and love he effaced himself completely in the service of Jesus and the Blessed virgin. His life was to live for them, he chose no other goal. This was the office that God assigned to him, though it was hidden from men’s eyes it was of the highest dignity and importance, for he was entrusted with the care of God’s beloved maiden Mary and was to stand in the place of “Father” to God’s own Son. Did anyone ever have such a privilege? It is Good for us to think about this person. St. Joseph and understand how well he lived up to God’s demands to become the Pillar of Faith and Protector of Families.

Who was ST. JOSEPH?

St. Joseph was born in Bethlehem, Israel around 100 B.C. He was a son of David in the line of the great King David who had reigned some 1000 years before, and whose descendants had sat on the throne of Israel and then Judah for 400 years. St. Joseph was a righteous man. He knew the law that the Lord God had given to his people. He wanted to follow it, do what was right and just towards God and other people, to do good and holy. He was betrothed to Mary a very good and holy young woman.

At that time, he might have been a young, energetic and just getting started in life or may have been an older man, a widower, with some number of sons and daughters who would be known as the brothers and sisters of Jesus. St. Joseph was a carpenter (Matt. 13:55) skilled at working with wood a craftsman who worked not only in the wood but with stone, iron and brass and was able to make variety of things needed in the home or on the farm. He was hardworking an excellent strong man who supported his family. He lived a life walking the right path, honoring God and loving his neighbor, with Mary as his wife.

ST JOSEPH: Pillar of Faith

To become a pillar of faith there needs to be three specific qualities such as:
1. Trust in God’s plan,
2. Courage in the Face of Adversity,
3. Model of Christian Living.

At the Annunciation St. Joseph’s faith was tested when he learned of Mary’s pregnancy, but he remained faithful and obedient to God’s will. At the Flight into Egypt Joseph’s faith was again tested, he was forced to flee with his family to protect the child Jesus,
St. Joseph trusted in God’s protection and provision. In the silent obedience of Joseph his faith was demonstrated as he listened to God’s voice and followed His will without question or complaint.

St. Joseph was a man of firmness and strength to be in charge of things, to be wage earner and head of his household. He was capable of quick decision and forceful action when the occasion demanded it. But most of all he was rich in faith and believed without hesitation, the strange and wonderful things God would reveal to him and perfectly obeyed to carry out the directions God gave as when the Angel told him to flee with his family to Egypt.

ST JOSEPH: The Protector of Families

1. Protection of divine secrets/mysteries
2. Protection in worldly sense.
3. Protection of divine secrets/mysteries- In the designs of God, the mystery of the Incarnation was to be hidden from the world until Christ himself would reveal it in his public life.
   The Gospels show that Joseph was married to Mary – a true marriage. Thus, he could protect Mary’s virginity and hide the secrets of its divine fruitfulness and thus could serve as earthly father to her divine child providing care, and nurture with all the needs, and kept veiled the mystery of his appearance among men.
4. Protection in worldly sense – St Joseph cared for the Holy Family by ensuring their safety and well-being. He executed the role of a guardian of the family. He also served as a provider for the physical and emotional needs of his family, demonstrating the importance of paternal love and care. We have three striking characteristics in St Joseph that make him the true patron as the protector of Families,
   i. Selflessness or sacrifice that puts the needs of his family before his own.
   ii. Courage in the face of adversity, protecting his family from harm and danger.
   iii. Loving care- Providing for their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
   
   So, the holy church has raised him to be the patron of Families, seeking his protection and guidance in times of need, Protector of marriage, helping couples to build strong loving relationships and intercessor for his children, protecting them from harm and guiding them on their life’s journey.
   
   As Religious- what do we learn from St Joseph’s faith journey? His faith teaches us to trust in God’s plan even when faced with uncertainty and don’t fully understand it. His perseverance and unwavering commitment to his faith, encourage us to persevere in our faith journey, despite challenges and difficulties. His silence reminds us to listen to God’s voice and follow his will. St Joseph never doubted the divinity of Jesus or his power to conquer evil. St Joseph knew Jesus was God. He adored our Lord in the cradle, in the home in Nazareth, in the Temple in Jerusalem and as a grown man in his workshop, St Joseph was always aware that in seeing Jesus he was gazing upon God Almighty, St Joseph showed an unrelenting commitment to his faith, his family and his community.
   This makes us reflect a few questions for ourselves-
   1. How can I demonstrate unwavering trust in God’s Plan, like St Joseph
   2. What challenges and difficulties am I facing in my own faith journey and how can I persevere like St. Joseph
   3. Do I listen more attentively to God’s voice and follow his will, rather than my own desires and plans? *
   
   St Joseph protector of Families Pray for us.