March 19, 2019: St. Joseph - Week 4 - Divine Mercy
March 19, 2019: St. Joseph - Week 4 - Divine Mercy
Do you have a favorite depiction of St. Joseph? I came across a picture of St. Joseph holding his infant Jesus as Mary was sleeping after a long day’s work of caring for her infant. St. Joseph was shown as the protector of the family, strong yet thoughtful in his love for Mary and his infant Jesus.There is a song called, “Joseph’s Song,” that poetically captured this scene:
How could it be this baby in my arms
Sleeping now, so peacefully
The Son of God, the angel said
How could it be
Lord I know He's not my own
Not of my flesh, not of my bone
Still Father let this baby be
The son of my love
Father show me where I fit into this plan of yours
How can a man be father to the Son of God
Lord for all my life I've been a simple carpenter
How can I raise a king, How can I raise a king
He looks so small, His face and hands so fair
And when He cries the sun just seems to disappear
But when He laughs it shines again
How could it be
St. Joseph was a man of principle and a man of mercy. In the few passages in the Bible regarding Joseph, we know that he was a righteous man who followed the law. He observed religious law — he went to Jerusalem for the Jewish festivals — and He also followed civil law — He went to Bethlehem for the census. We also know that Joseph had dreams. God spoke to him in his dreams and he followed the message in his dreams. While the law of the land allowed shaming and even the death of a spouse who was unfaithful, St. Joseph chose the path of mercy, and did not allow Mary to be shamed, or place her life in danger. He sought the will of God in situations that he did not understand, and he sought the grace of God for the mission he was given. He protected his family from Herod’s soldiers by leading Mary and infant Jesus to Egypt. Not only did he seek the Father’s will, but he also responded with action. We venerate St Joseph today first and foremost because he loved God, and because he loved his Jewish faith and his community. We especially venerate him today for loving his wife and his child. We call upon St. Joseph to strengthen our fathers, grandfathers, husbands, and brothers to emulate his virtues.
