By Nick Carney
Today we celebrate the Feast of Saint Joseph. The patron saint of workers, a happy death, husbands, fathers, and the Universal Church. That is high praise for a man who doesn’t have any spoken words in the Bible. From what we learn in the Gospels, he is married to Mother Mary, stepfather to Jesus, and trusted by God to protect and lead their family. Of course, this is not Joseph’s initial plan. I am sure he had a wonderful plan to marry his bride, have children and raise them in his home in Nazareth. Instead, God had a different plan for him. He was encouraged to be strong and take Mary as his wife even though he knew there would be judgement and scrutiny by the community. He didn’t even get to live in Nazareth like he had wanted. Immediately after Jesus was born, they fled to live in Egypt. What a life he didn’t plan.
The past few weeks have been an adjustment for us all in light of the developing COVID-19 situation. Many of us have had to adjust to working from home. Schools are closing down and many students are being educated at home over video calls. Businesses are closing, putting heavy burdens on business owners and leaving many without work. People are anxious about staying healthy and ensuring their families are safe and prepared. Then there are the most vulnerable in our community who are in need of care and resources now more than ever. Everyone in our community is making adjustments. None of this was in our plans for 2020.
My father, before he passed away, was a United States Marine. He was taught how to adapt, adjust, and overcome situations. What a great and challenging mentality. On Saint Joseph’s feast day, I think about how he would react and lead our family if he were still with us.
Today we celebrate the Feast of Saint Joseph – the stepfather of Jesus who faced many changes and obstacles to raise his son with pride and integrity. Let us reflect on Saint Joseph’s great work and the gift of trust that God gave to him. Let us pray that we have the trust and flexibility to follow any path God lays out for us.
Society of Saint Joseph Prayer
Creator of all that lives, from the beginning of time you have entrusted to women and men the gifts of Creation itself that they may bring forth abundant blessings from your gracious hand.
From our first parents and down through the ages, from humble shepherds to royal rulers, skilled laborers to fearless prophets, your people handed on a legacy of faith until it bore fruit in the womb of Mary and was protected by the love of Joseph.
Now in your Son we have all been given Christ’s mission to plant the seeds of the Gospel that it may flourish not for our sake alone but for the good of generations to come.
Bless us now, we who continue the legacy of Joseph.
Like him, may we dedicate our lives to watching over the Church, the body of Christ that you have entrusted to us.
Increase our faith with Joseph’s courage who placed his trust in you even when the future was uncertain.
Open our hearts with Joseph’s generosity who gave his heart to Mary and Jesus.
And fill our lives with Joseph’s joy in knowing that our faith in Christ, through the grace of the Spirit, will live on beyond our days.
We ask this through Christ our Lord,
Amen