Chosen to be a Father

Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

~~2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16~~Psalm 89~~Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22~~Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a~~

Today we pause our Lenten observances
to remember Joseph, the spouse of Mary,
the earthly father of Jesus.

Joseph was able to move forward in his life for one simple reason;
he had the faith to trust in God.
This faith could not have evolved over night.
He was obviously a man of faith for many years.
The Bible calls him a righteous man.
He was a man God chose to be the head of the household.
Mary trusted God, but she also had to have trust in Joseph.
She was a woman; it was important
that she have a husband to provide for her and her child.

It was Joseph who took care of the needs of the family.

Whenever I think of Saint Joseph I also think of those men who are fathers today.
Those men who have biological children...
those who have fathered children and walked away...

those who are fathers with no biological connection.

Joseph was not physically related to Jesus, but that did not keep
 him from loving and caring for Jesus.

I can imagine that Joseph and Jesus had a very loving relationship.
Perhaps a model father son relationship
even though God the Father watched from heaven.

It is not until the Baptism of Jesus do we hear
 the voice of God the Father claim Jesus as his son.

In our society today the role of the father has been diluted.
Diluted because we have so many missing fathers...
missing from their children not only physically but emotionally as well.

Today as we especially look at Saint Joseph let us pray for all fathers.
Pray for those fathers who are deceased, for those who are struggling,
for those who are separated because of military duty.
Let us pray for those fathers who strive to be the best dad they can be...
for those who are confused but keep on loving their children.

Joseph loved Jesus and Jesus loved Joseph
there is no doubt.

Thank God for your father...
Forgive him if he was not the best father.
Love him for how he loved you.

Saint Joseph, pray for all fathers.
Give them the strength and courage to be more loving and caring.
Let them come to believe and trust in their heavenly father, God.

Fatherhood is not just a biological title.
God Bless all fathers.
Peace.