Posted on 12/23/2020 9:32:11 AM PST by Kaslin
The actions of Joseph teach men how to be virtuous and women and children that they deserve to be protected, trusted, and cared for.
Pope Francis, the spiritual father of the Roman Catholic world, recently declared that church body will journey through “A Year of St. Joseph” from Dec. 8, 2020, through Dec. 8, 2021. Proclaiming a year in the name of some person or theme is a method several popes have used to highlight an all-important message they believe to be critical for both the church and the entire world at that time.
In 2014, Francis did something similar when he proclaimed “A Year of Consecrated Life” focusing on the men and women who vow their lives to serve in the church, along with “A Year of Mercy” in 2015 focusing on God as the face of merciful compassionate love. Now, the bishop of Rome is encouraging the globe to peer into the facts about the life of the earthly step-father of Jesus to see just how much meditating on the life of Joseph can profoundly affect our lives.
On each occasion a pope dedicates an upcoming year to a special theme or person, he has done so to respond to what the world was presently enduring. In this case, the pope has framed his letter to outline the need for Joseph’s heart within the context of the coronavirus and its effects on humanity, along with contemporary issues that are tearing apart families worldwide.
From the outset of his letter, Francis connects Joseph to the situation of the past year when humanity across the globe came to realize “our lives are woven together and sustained by ordinary people, people often overlooked.” These are “people,” the pope continues, “who do not appear in newspaper and magazine headlines, or on the latest television show, yet in these very days are surely shaping the decisive events of our history.”
Pope Francis specifically highlights the roles of: “doctors, nurses, storekeepers and supermarket workers, cleaning personnel, caregivers, transport workers, men and women working to provide essential services and public safety, volunteers, priests, men and women religious, and so very many others.” Just as Joseph is often overlooked despite his crucial role in teaching and caring for Jesus, these fields have often been passed over as insignificant before this past year.
The COVID-19 pandemic helped reveal to us that no one goes through life alone, and, that “no one is saved alone.” Human beings rely on relationships. We need each other. This fundamental truth leads to Francis’s words regarding the faithfulness and trust Joseph personified in his marriage with Mary. Most emphatically, this was shown in the early stages of their marriage.
Luke 1:18 tells us, “When Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child.” Then, as we’re told in Matthew 2:19, Joseph’s response was to “divorce her quietly” because he was a “righteous man.” The biblical understanding of righteousness means Joseph was one with God through prayer. As such, he knew how to apply the law in the right measure and with the proper compassion and kindness.
Divorce was needed because, in appearance, Mary was unfaithful. In the customs of the time, however, divorce could be accomplished in two different ways: convening a public council to hear the case (in which the entire town would hear of her infidelity) or brought to simply two or three witnesses and done privately (helping protect her honor). Joseph chooses the latter option.
While it is by no means natural or normal to take a woman into your home when she is not carrying your child, Joseph does so after an angel of God appears to him and exhorts him to not fear (Matthew 2:20). Francis notes that despite what appeared to the world as adultery, Joseph believed the angel and Mary that it was not. On the word of the angel, he trusted that she was faithful and honest, and took Mary into his home while deciding to dedicate his life to caring for her and this newborn child. He bet his life on God’s word to him.
In the face of this radical faithfulness is the daunting fact that just shy of 50 percent of U.S. marriages end up in divorce. In contrast to these times, Joseph refused to allow the talk of the town to determine whether he would break his marriage bond. Our world, Francis notes, is also entrenched in both far too much abuse of women and neglect for their needs:
Joseph appears as the figure of a respectful and sensitive man. Even though he does not understand the bigger picture, he makes a decision to protect Mary’s good name, her dignity, and her life
The culture is sown with an enormous number of struggles, tensions, and strife, which the pope desires to offer a remedy and exemplar to ponder. Joseph isn’t a model out of touch or ambiguous, but a practical man, a carpenter and ordinary husband who teaches men how to be virtuous and women and children that they deserve to be protected, trusted, and cared for.
In a year in which married couples and families have been spending more time together than ever before, it is the perfect time to encounter Joseph and make this year devoted to learning from his example.
“Pope Francis, the spiritual father of the Roman Catholic world”
Bergoglio, excommunicate and heretic, is still working to lead souls to Hell.
Aren’t there Biblical prophesies that state the last pope will be Joseph? Perhaps those prophesies meant in the year of Joseph?
I don’t know much about that. Trying to keep up with what’s transpiring in the present is more than I can do.
That’s not what Matthew 2:19 says
I quit reading
In August I was consecrated to St. Joseph. He has helped me tremendously. We all need St. Joseph. He helps me keep my mouth shut, well more times than before...
The year of mercy helped me too. I had horrible resentments and was able to offer mercy.
Mary and Joseph had a perfect love. Being from an abusive alcoholic family, I was finally able to see what real love is.
And finally I have a dad who loves me and teaches me how to live. GO TO ST. JOSEPH
...I quit reading...
_______________________
A wise person may open their minds, rather than “I quit reading”. (I too have a closed mind)
There are different languages of the Bible. I guess the Latin one is probably the most accurate. Or Greek.
Or the Aramaic
| 1. Great Saint Joseph! Son of David Foster father of our Lord Spouse of Mary ever virgin Keeping o’er them watch and ward! In the stable thou didst guard them With a father’s loving care Thou by God’s command didst save them From the cruel Herod’s snare | 2. Great Saint Joseph! Son of David Spouse of Mary undefiled Guardian of the Holy Family Father of the Holy Child God presented thee with blessings Glorified thy life obscure Made thee guardian of all virgins Consolation of the poor |
| 3. Three long days in grief and anguish With His mother sweet and mild Mary Virgin didst thou wander Seeking the beloved Child In the temple thou didst find Him Oh! What joy then filled thy heart In thy sorrows, in thy gladness Grant us Joseph to have part | 4. Ornament of life domestic Model of the toiler’s day Hope of all the sick and weary In the hour of death our stay Great protector universal Of the Church we thee acclaim Hear our pray’rs O great Saint Joseph When we call upon thy name |
| 5. Clasped in Jesus’ arms and Mary’s When death gently came at last Thy pure spirit sweetly sighing From its earthly dwelling passed Dear Saint Joseph! By that passing May our death be like to thine And with Jesus, Mary, Joseph May our souls forever shine. | Amen. |
Oh St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires.
Oh St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your divine son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, our Lord; so that having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers.
Oh St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while he reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss his fine head for me, and ask him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for us. Amen
Blessed St. Joseph, I consecrate myself to your honor and give myself to you, that you may always be my father, my protector and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me great purity of heart and a fervent love of the interior life. After your example, may I perform my actions for the greater Glory of God, in union with the Divine Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Pray for me, Saint Joseph, that I may experience the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen.
Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the immaculate Virgin, obtain for me a pure, humble, charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the divine Will. Be my guide, my father, and my model through life that I may merit to die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary. Amen.
(Saint Joseph is imagined to respond:)
May the poverty of my sweet and suffering little Child be your riches. His sighs and His tears the consolation of your days. The love of His adorable Heart your earthly treasure, your all. And the clear vision of His adorable and glorified humanity be your eternal joy and recompense. Amen.
The Presentation in the Temple, Giovanni Bellini, 1460
To thee, O blessed Joseph, we have recourse in our affliction, and having implored the help of thy thrice holy Spouse, we now, with hearts filled with confidence, earnestly beg thee also to take us under thy protection.
Defend, O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, the chosen off-spring of Jesus Christ. Keep from us, O most loving Father, all blight of error and corruption. Aid us from on high, most valiant defender, in this conflict with the powers of darkness. And even as of old thou didst rescue the Child Jesus from the peril of His life, so now defend God’s Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity. Shield us ever under thy patronage, that, following thine example and strengthened by thy help, we may live a holy life, die a happy death, and attain to everlasting bliss in Heaven. Amen. – Encyclical Quamquam Pluries, “On Devotion to St. Joseph”, Pope Leo XIII, 15 August 1889
That’s a lot of material. Thank you.
BUMP
My wife says they look like old fashion gas pumps.
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