St. Joseph 

   Today we celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph.  While there is not a single word of his recorded in scripture but his actions speak volumes.

   Joseph was chosen by God to be the foster father of His own Son, Jesus Christ and the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  It was a calling that Joseph answered with humble obedience.

   When he found that his betrothed was pregnant, “…since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.”  (Matt 1: 19)  Then an angel appeared to him saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.  For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.  She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from there sins.”  (Matt 1: 20 – 21).  When he awoke he did as the angel had said and took Mary, his wife, into his home.

   After the birth of Jesus, Herod, crazed by his fear and hatred of anything that might challenge his rule, sent soldiers to Bethlehem with orders to kill all male children under the age of two.  Again, Joseph obeyed the angel's warning, took up his family and went into exile in Egypt, a journey of over 400 miles.

   Throughout Jesus’ childhood, Joseph watched over him and loved him.  He taught Him the Torah and trained Him as a carpenter.  He never questioned, never doubted, he accepted God’s choice of him as the foster father of the Savior of the World; he fulfilled the Father's will in his life.

   We know nothing of Joseph’s death.  It seems that He most likely died before Jesus began His ministry.  How blessed he was to be honored by God to be the foster father of the Son of God.  Without doubt he heard those words we all long to hear, “Well done my good and faithful servant…..Come, share your master’s joy.” (Matt 25: 21)