It is 19th March 2021. We celebrate the Solemnity of St Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The readings are from 2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16; the second reading is from Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22; and the Gospel from Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24. This celebration becomes more important as we celebrate the year of St. Joseph. As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of St Joseph as the patron of the universal Church, so Pope Francis dedicates this year to St Joseph.
In a new Apostolic Letter entitled Patris Corde (“With a Father’s Heart”), Pope Francis describes Saint Joseph as a beloved father, a tender and loving father, an obedient father, an accepting father; a father who is creatively courageous, a working father, a father in the shadows. There is so much to learn from the fatherhood of St. Joseph. There is no better model out there for a father than St. Joseph. We cannot limit the fatherhood to biological connections only. The role and privilege of being a father means to walking by the guidance of the Holy Spirit and never to dominate anyone entrusted in his care.
“I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children. Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.” (1 Cor 4:14; Gal 4:19). Being responsible means to allow the other grow and groom the way one can be in the best way possible.
The responsorial Psalm praises, “The son of David will live for ever.” (
St. Joseph did all that was expected of him to do forgoing his interests, wishes, and choices. His Holiness Pope Francis points out in the letter, No. 7, “Fathers are not born, but made. A man does not become a father simply by bringing a child into the world, but by taking up the responsibility to care for that child. Whenever a man accepts responsibility for the life of another, in some way he becomes a father to that person.”
St. Joseph protected Mother Mary, provided for Her, and accompanied Her without abusing Her in anyway. His virtuous living accommodated the respect to Mary and reverence to Jesus to grow up under his loving care not with control. The spirituality of fatherhood in Joseph solely depends on his unwavering faith, unquestioning obedience and a deep docility to follow the will and plan of God.
Every father needs to allow the children to grow up without possessing them, over protecting them, and allowing them to decide for themselves yet stand by them to demonstrate a loving and non-judgmental presence to them. Affection, attention, and attitudes of the father helps the child to grow up without any pressure. Allowing the children as the centre in the shadow of the father. Love of the father is the only reliable gift and freedom to every child that want to be chaste and loving.
As we seek the intercession of St. Joseph, let us emulate his virtues for our life that resonate of a loving and caring person. Happy feast to all of you. May God bless you.