CELEBRATION OF THE FATHER

Today we celebrate St Joseph, Jesus’ father: a holy man, the spouse of Mary, earthly father of Jesus and a hard-working carpenter.

I found this lovely text below on St Joseph that remind me how little we appreciate ‘the father’. The father we had may have came in many shapes and forms. The Divine Prescence that we often call Holy Father, or The Father (with capital letters) does act as a caring and loving person in our lives if we allow ‘him’  to do so. 

Many of us many not have had the biological father that we wished for. At the same time, if we take a close look at our lives, we can probably find male figures who acted as ‘fathers’ in our lives.  We are provided with what we need, the substitute father figure included, as long as we are open to the idea the Divine Grace that is constantly with us. 

Today, as we celebrate St Joseph, I wish to honour those man, my biological father included, who acted as fathers in my life though in different capacities.

My grandfather who was not biologically related to me because he was my grandmother’s second husband, was the man I considered my father. He was a man of  ‘tough love’ but he cared for me deeply. Sadly, he died when I was about 7 years old.

Soon after his death, my music teacher showed interest in my musical abilities and took me under his wings. He acted as a father to me because his involvement in my life went much deeper than a relationship between a teacher and a student. He shaped my character and took care of me when I was neglected because of different family problems at home.

In my late teens, my first serious boyfriend, who was about 10 years older than me, showed me the value of hard work and taught me many life lessons such as ‘minding my own business’ that I still value today.

Later in my twenties and thirties, many men showed up in my life in the form of collaborators, bosses, friends, etc.  who helped me grow and evolve both personally and spiritually.

I am grateful for you all, gentleman! You all had an enormous impact on my life. I bow in front of you with gratitude and honour in my heart. Without you, I would not be the person I am today. I want you all to know that I love you and respect you!

⋆｡‧˚ʚ♡ɞ˚‧｡⋆

 

” In the Bible, he is referred to as a “just man,” which was considered a high compliment in his time. It also meant that he was willing and open to do whatever God asked of him, including taking Mary as his wife, despite her unusual – and blessed pregnancy (Matthew 1:19). He also loved and cared for Jesus. There also is a reference that St. Joseph was a descendant of King David.

St. Joseph protected his family, heeding the Lord’s direction, which came in a series of dreams and messages from angels.

Pope Francis issued an apostolic letter titled “Patris Corde” in Latin. It translates to “With a Father’s Heart,” in which the pope describes St. 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 and a father in the shadows.

… the Holy Father said we are able to see more clearly the importance of “ordinary” people who exercise patience and offer hope daily. These people resemble St. Joseph, “the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence,” who played “an incomparable role in the history of salvation.” Source

Here you can find some 10 little known facts related to St Josef. CLICK