St. Joseph

We all know that are three members of the Holy family, of course: the Virgin Mary, Jesus, and St. Joseph. It seems a pity that we don't think more about him.

St. Joseph showed us great faith. Unwilling to subject Mary to public humiliation, being a kind and gentle man, he intended to divorce her quietly when he found during their betrothal that she was pregnant. But he did not, trusting in an angel in a dream to marry her and be the foster father of Our Savior. If such a thing could test anyone's faith, this surely would. Yet he passed the trial with great decorum and humility.

In another dream, he trusts another angel and takes the family on a treacherous journey to Egypt, to live in exile until the threat to the Christ Child is passed. Who among us would do such a thing, knowing as we know that dreams are merely manifestations of subconscious actions and desires? They became foreigners, and how fortunate we are that he did not fear the undertaking.

Indeed taking direction from dreams were almost the norm for the great Saint. It did not deter him from his duties.

What awe and wonder must he have felt when, in taking the newborn King to the temple for the Jewish rites, Simeon and Anna spoke of the glory and splendor within the child whom they were allowed to live long enough to see. Could we stand such glowing and mystical praise for a newborn? Might we even begin to comprehend it? St. Joseph did. Still, he seems to be forgotten after the 'lost' Christ is found at 12 years old in the temple.

He is the patron saint and universal protector, along with St. Peter, of the Church. Yet it is perhaps in his humility that we ought to venerate him most greatly. In being an almost silent partner in the Holy family, in being more behind the scenes than at the forefront of the events of his time while presumably understanding what was happening as well as his role in it, that maybe we should love and respect him most. Knowing who he was and what role he played, he never sought the spotlight. He did what he was here to do, and without fanfare.

I think there is a lesson in that. Good St. Joseph, pray for us!