St. Joseph, Role Model for Men Everywhere

Today is the feast of St. Joseph, the noble and righteous spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. St. Joseph is the ideal role model for all Christian men. He displays the fortitude, prudence, love, and faith that we should all seek to imitate. Though we know very little about the details of his life, we do know that he accepted the will of God as readily and faithfully as his wife, Mary. Joseph was a hard-working man, a carpenter. He is also a model of virtue in our work, as he worked to support the Blessed Mother and the Child Jesus.

Imagine how Joseph felt when he learned that Mary was with child. We do not know whether they were married or engaged at the time, but either way, it was not easy for Joseph to accept. He wanted to preserve the dignity of Mary, and so he thought to divorce her privately. While he was contemplating this, the Angel of the Lord appeared to him and said "Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost."(Matthew 1:20) Joseph took these words to heart and accepted Mary as his wife. This shows us the profound faith of this man. Surely, doubts were filling his mind at the time, but he was courageous and accepted the words of the angel.

When the time came for the birth of Jesus, there were no rooms available for Joseph and Mary, and so he had to accept a humble stable for the nativity of the Savior of the World. The humility of this great saint was exercised immeasurably at this time.

Consider the terror and uncertainty Joseph must have felt when an angel again appeared to him in a dream and instructed him to take flight into Egypt to escape the murder Jesus. Joseph is truly a model of courage. After all the struggles and obedience he endured to aid in the birth of our Lord, he again was called upon to help bring God's plan of salvation to fulfillment. When we must find courage, we should ask St. Joseph to intercede on our behalf.

In many ways, St. Joseph is the ideal model of virtuous fatherhood. Every man should seek to follow his example and provide for the needs of his dependents, whether they be a family or the laity in general. Courage, obedience, love, and wisdom are just a few of his most admirable attributes. Let us all grow in devotion to this wonderful saint and patron of fathers everywhere.

St. Joseph, pray for us, our Church, and our families!