Today is the Feast Day of Joseph
Today is the Feast Day of Joseph
The Faithful Foster-Father and Guardian
St. Joseph - Defender of Life
On this day, we celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph, the devoted guardian and protector of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we reflect on this day, let us consider St. Joseph as the epitome of a defender of life. In our post-modern world, he serves as an exemplary role model for us to emulate.
In a society where the sanctity of human life is increasingly under attack, St. Joseph stands as a beacon of hope and a champion for the defenseless. Through his unwavering obedience to God's will, he shielded the infant Jesus from the cruel designs of King Herod, ensuring that the Savior of the world could fulfill His divine mission.
The Gospel account of Joseph's courage and faith reminds us that we, too, are called to be defenders of life in all its stages, from conception until natural death. As Mother Teresa so eloquently stated, "The greatest destroyer of peace in the world today is abortion." It is our duty as followers of Christ to stand firm against this grave injustice and to proclaim the inherent dignity and value of every human life.
In a world that often promotes a culture of death, we must be steadfast in our efforts to build a culture of life. This requires not only our prayers and spiritual devotion but also concrete actions in our daily lives. We must support and encourage those who work tirelessly to protect the unborn, the elderly, and the vulnerable. We must create environments that embody the merciful love of God, reaching out to those who are suffering, weak, or poor.
As we look to St. Joseph's, let us draw strength from his quiet determination and unwavering commitment to God's plan. May we, like him, have the courage to stand up for what is right, even in the face of adversity and opposition.
On this special feast day, let us renew our dedication to the cause of life and ask for St. Joseph's intercession. May he guide us in our efforts to create a world where every human life is cherished and protected, and may we always remain faithful to the Gospel message of love and compassion.
Together, as the Body of Christ, let us continue to build a civilization of love, one in which the dignity and sanctity of every human life are upheld and celebrated. May God bless us all in this noble endeavor, and may St. Joseph, the guardian of the Holy Family, be our constant guide and protector.
From a sermon by Saint Bernardine of Siena, priest
The faithful foster-father and guardian
There is a general rule concerning all special graces granted to any human being. Whenever the divine favor chooses someone to receive a special grace, or to accept a lofty vocation, God adorns the person chosen with all the gifts of the Spirit needed to fulfil the task at hand.
This general rule is especially verified in the case of Saint Joseph, the foster-father of our Lord and the husband of the Queen of our world, enthroned above the angels. He was chosen by the eternal Father as the trustworthy guardian and protector of his greatest treasures, namely, his divine Son and Mary, Joseph’s wife. He carried out this vocation with complete fidelity until at last God called him, saying: “Good and faithful servant enter into the joy of your Lord.”
What then is Joseph’s position in the whole Church of Christ? Is he not a man chosen and set apart? Through him and, yes, under him, Christ was fittingly and honorably introduced into the world. Holy Church in its entirety is indebted to the Virgin Mother because through her it was judged worthy to receive Christ. But after her we undoubtedly owe special gratitude and reverence to Saint Joseph.
In him the Old Testament finds its fitting close. He brought the noble line of patriarchs and prophets to its promised fulfilment. What the divine goodness had offered as a promise to them, he held in his arms.
Obviously, Christ does not now deny to Joseph that intimacy, reverence and very high honor which he gave him on earth, as a son to his father. Rather we must say that in heaven Christ completes and perfects all that he gave at Nazareth.
Now we can see how the last summoning words of the Lord appropriately apply to Saint Joseph: “Enter into the joy of your Lord.” In fact, although the joy of eternal happiness enters into the soul of a man, the Lord preferred to say to Joseph: “Enter into joy.” His intention was that the words should have a hidden spiritual meaning for us. They convey not only that this holy man possesses an inward joy, but also that it surrounds him and engulfs him like an infinite abyss.
Remember us, Saint Joseph, and plead for us to your foster-child. Ask your most holy bride, the Virgin Mary, to look kindly upon us, since she is the mother of him who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns eternally. Amen.
Today’s Mass Collect
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that by Saint Joseph’s intercession your Church may constantly watch over the unfolding of the mysteries of human salvation, whose beginnings you entrusted to his faithful care.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.