Today we have the principal feast day of the foster father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Saint Joseph. The other feast is that of St Joseph the Worker. For a man of few words Joseph has had a tremendous influence in the life of the Church especially as patron of religious orders. He was poor - the Holy Family offered, at the Presentation of Our Lord, the sacrifice of the poor; he was chaste - Our Lady is a perpetual virgin and he respected that; he was obedient - he responded with alacrity to the instructions given by God to him in dreams. He is often portrayed as holding lilies. This is derived from the personification of Israel: "... he (Israel) shall blossom like the lily." (Hos 14: 5) As a member of the Holy Family of Nazareth he is a role model, intercessor and archetype for fathers and other male roles in the Church and the family. A righteous man he was still open to the action of God which took him beyond his comfort zone. Three times he responded to God's call and moved to protect his family. We need something of his faith and courage today.
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